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Columbia is the capital of and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2005, Columbia had an estimated city population of 121,395 and is the central city in a metropolitan population of 689,878 (U.S. Census Bureau). Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a small portion of the city extends into Lexington County. The city's name is derived from a poetic name for America, based on the name of Christopher Columbus, the use of the moniker being first attributed to poet Phillis Wheatley according to popular legend (see Historical Columbia).

Located just 13 miles northwest of South Carolina's geographic center, Columbia is the primary city of the Midlands region of South Carolina, which comprises several counties in the central portion of the state. As such it is centrally located to the rest of the state. Founded in 1786 as the site of South Carolina's new capital city, it was one of the first planned cities in the United States. The area is often cited for its high quality of life offerings, with its many cultural amenities, parks, and recreational features. At the confluence of two major rivers, Columbia is one of the best destinations in the country for kayak and canoe enthusiasts. It is also known for its large number of independent theater groups. Columbia was recently one of 30 communities named "America's Most Livable Communities." The award was given by the Washington-based non-profit Partners for Livable Communities and honors communities that are developing themselves in the creative economy.

A resident of Columbia is known as an Awesome Columbian. For those south of the border also known as a "Colombian"

History

Early history

For nearly a century before the creation of Columbia by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1786, the site of Columbia was important to the overall development of the state. The Congarees, a frontier fort on the west bank of the Congaree River, was the head of navigation in the Santee River system. A ferry was established by the colonial government in 1754 to connect the fort with the growing settlements on the higher ground on the east bank.

State Senator John Lewis Gervais of Ninety Six introduced a bill that was approved by the legislature on March 22, 1786 to create a new state capital. There was considerable argument over the name for the new city. According to published accounts, Senator Gervais said he hoped that "in this town we should find refuge under the wings of COLUMBIA," for that was the name which he wished it to be called. One legislator insisted on the name Washington, but Columbia won out by a vote of 11-7 in the state senate.

The site was chosen as the new state capital in 1786, due to its central location in the state. State legislature first met there in 1790. After remaining under the direct government of the legislature for the first two decades of its existence, Columbia was incorporated as a village in 1805 and then as a city in 1854.

Columbia received a large stimulus to development when it was connected in a direct water route to Charleston, by the Santee Canal. This canal connected the Santee and Cooper Rivers in a 22-mile section. It was first chartered in 1786 and completed in 1800, making it one of the earliest canals in the United States. With increased railroad traffic, it ceased operation around 1850.

The commissioners designed a town of 400 blocks in a two-mile square along the river. The blocks were divided into half-acre lots and sold to speculators and prospective residents. Buyers had to build a house at least 30 feet long and 18 feet wide within three years or face an annual 5% penalty. The perimeter streets and two through streets were 150 feet wide. The remaining squares were divided by thoroughfares 100 feet wide. The width was determined by the belief that the dangerous and pesky mosquitoes could not fly more than 60 feet without dying of starvation along the way. Columbians still enjoy most of the magnificent network of wide streets.

The commissioners comprised the local government until 1797 when a Commission of Streets and Markets was created by the General Assembly. Three main issues occupied most of their time: public drunkenness, gambling, and poor sanitation.

As the second planned city in the United States, Columbia began to grow rapidly. Its population was nearing 1,000 shortly after the turn of the century.

19th century

In 1801, South Carolina College (now known as the University of South Carolina) was founded in Columbia. The city was chosen as the site of the institution in part to unite the state's citizens in the upcountry and the lowcountry. Also, the leaders of South Carolina wished to personally monitor the progress and development of the school. For many years after its founding, commencement exercises were held in December while the state legislature was in session.

Columbia received its first charter as a town in 1805. An intendent and six wardens would govern the town. John Taylor was the first elected intendent. He later served in both houses of the General Assembly, both houses of Congress and eventually as governor of the state. By 1816, there were 250 homes in the town and a population over 1,000.

Columbia became chartered as a city in 1854, with an elected mayor and six aldermen. Two years later, they had a police force consisting of a full-time chief and nine patrolmen. The city continued to grow at a rapid pace, as throughout the 1850's and 1860's Columbia was the largest inland city in the Carolinas. Railroad transportation served as a significant cause of population expansion in Columbia during this time. Rail lines that reached the city in the 1840's were first and foremost interested in transporting cotton bales, not passengers. Cotton was the lifeblood of the Columbia community, as in 1850, directly or indirectly, virtually all of the city's commercial and economic activity was related to cotton.

Columbia's First Baptist Church hosted the South Carolina Secession Convention on December 17, 1860. The delegates drafted a resolution in favor of secession without dissent, 159-0. Columbia's location made it an ideal location for other conventions and meetings within the Confederacy. During the Civil War, bankers, railroad executives, teachers, and theologians from several states met in the city from time to time to discuss certain matters.

On February 17, 1865, during the Civil War, much of Columbia was destroyed by fire while being occupied by Union troops under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Legend has it, Columbia's First Baptist Church missed by a hair from being torched by Sherman's troops. As the story goes, the soldiers marched up to the church and asked the grounds keeper if he could direct them to the location of the church where the declaration of secession was signed. The loyal grounds keeper directed the men to another church, a Methodist church, located nearby; thus, the historic landmark avoided being destroyed by Union soldiers.

Controversy surrounding the burning of the city started soon after the war ended. General Sherman blamed the high winds and retreating Confederate soldiers for firing bales of cotton, which had been stacked in the streets. General Sherman denied ordering the burning, though he did order militarily significant structures, such as the Confederate Printing Plant, destroyed. First-hand accounts by local residents, Union soldiers, and a newspaper reporter offer a tale of revenge by Union troops for Columbia's and South Carolina's pivotal role in leading Southern states to secede from the Union. Today, tourists can follow the path General Sherman's army took to enter the city and see structures or remnants of structures that survived the fire.

During Reconstruction, Columbia became the focus of considerable attention. Reporters, journalists, travelers, and tourists flocked to South Carolina's capital city to witness a Southern state legislature whose members included ex-slaves. The city also made somewhat of a rebound following the devastating fire of 1865; a mild construction boom took place within the first few years of Reconstruction, and repair of railroad tracks in outlying areas created jobs for area citizens.

Twentieth century

The first few years of the 20th century saw Columbia emerge as a regional textile manufacturing center. In 1907, Columbia had six mills in operation: Richland, Granby, Olympia, Capital City, Columbia, and Palmetto. Combined, they employed over 3,400 workers with an annual payroll of $819,000, giving the Midlands an economic boost of over $4.8 million.

Columbia had no paved streets until 1908, when 17 blocks of Main Street were surfaced. There were, however, 115 publicly maintained street crossings at intersections to keep pedestrians from having to wade through a sea of mud between wooden sidewalks. As an experiment, Washington Street was once paved with wooden blocks. This proved to be the source of much local amusement when they buckled and floated away during heavy rains. The blocks were replaced with asphalt paving in 1925.

The years 1911-1912 was something of a construction boom for Columbia, with $2.5 million worth of construction occurring in the city. These projects included the National Loan & Exchange Bank building (now known as the Barringer Building) on Main Street, the Union Bank Building at Main and Gervais, the Palmetto National Bank, a shopping arcade, and large hotels at Main and Laurel (the Jefferson) and at Main and Wheat (the Gresham).

In 1917, the city was selected as the site of Camp Jackson, a U.S. military installation which was officially classified as a "Field Artillery Replacement Depot." The first recruits arrived at the camp on September 1, 1917.

In 1930, Columbia was the hub of a trading area with approximately 500,000 potential customers. It had 803 retail establishments, 280 of them being food stores. There were also 58 clothing and apparel outlets, 57 restaurants and lunch rooms, 55 filling stations, 38 pharmacies, 20 furniture stores, 19 auto dealers, 11 shoe stores, nine cigar stands, five department stores, and one book store. Wholesale distributors located within the city numbered 119, with one-third of them dealing in food.

In 1934, the federal courthouse at the corner of Main and Laurel streets was purchased by the city for use as City Hall. Built of granite from nearby Winnsboro, Columbia City Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Alfred Bult Millet, President Ulysses S. Grant's Federal architect, the building was completed in 1876. Millet, best known for his design of the Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., had originally designed the building with a clock tower. Large cost overruns probably caused it to be left out. Copies of Mullet's original drawings can be seen on the walls of City Hall alongside historic photos of Columbia's beginnings.

Reactivated Camp Jackson became Fort Jackson in 1940, giving the military installation the permanence desired by city leaders at the time. The fort was annexed into the city in the fall of 1968, with approval from the Pentagon.

The 1940's saw the beginning of efforts to reverse Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination in Columbia. In 1945, a federal judge ruled that the city's black teachers were entitled to equal pay to that of their white counterparts. However, in years following, the state attempted to strip many blacks of their teaching credentials. Other issues in which the blacks of the city sought equality concerned voting rights and segregation (particularly regarding public schools). On August 21, 1962, eight downtown chain stores served blacks at their lunch counters for the first time. The University of South Carolina admitted its first black students in 1963; around the same time, many vestiges of segregation began to disappear from the city, blacks attained membership on various municipal boards and commissions, and a non-discriminatory hiring policy was adopted by the city. These and other such signs of racial progression helped earn the city the 1964 All-America City Award for the second time (the first being in 1951) and a 1965 article in Newsweek magazine lauded Columbia as a city that had "liberated itself from the plague of doctrinal apartheid."

The area's population continued to grow during the 1950's, having experienced a 40% increase from 186,844 to 260,828, with 97,433 people residing within the city limits of Columbia.

Historic preservation has played a significant part into shaping Columbia into the city that it is today. The historic Robert Mills House was restored in 1967, which inspired the renovation and restoration of other historic structures such as the Hampton-Preston House and homes associated with President Woodrow Wilson, Maxcy Gregg, Mary Boykin Chestnut, and noted free black Celia Mann. In the early 1970's, the University of South Carolina initiated the refurbishment of its "Horseshoe." Several area museums also benefited from the increased historical interest of that time, among them the Fort Jackson Museum, the McKissick Museum on the campus of the University of South Carolina, and most notably the South Carolina State Museum, which opened in 1988.

Mayor Kirkman Finlay, Jr. was the driving force behind the refurbishment of Seaboard Park, now known as Finlay Park, in the historic Congaree Vista district, as well as the compilation of the $60 million Palmetto Center package, which gave Columbia a distinctive office tower, parking garage, and the Columbia Marriott which opened in 1983.

The year 1980 saw the Columbia metropolitan population reach 410,088 and in 1990 this figure had hit approximately 470,000. The city continues to focus on improving the great quality of life of its citizens and further diversifying the local economy, which will continue to bring growth and vitality for many years to come.

Recent history

The 1990's and early 2000's also saw tremendous revitalization in the downtown area. The Congaree Vista district along Gervais Street, once known as a warehouse district, became an upscale restaurant, shopping, and bar district. The Colonial Center (formerly known as the Carolina Center) opened in 2002, and brought several big-named concerts and shows to Columbia (it's also the home of the University of South Carolina basketball teams). The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center opened in 2004, and a new convention center hotel is under construction, along with several residential developments in the Vista.

However, the progress has not been universally well received. A city-wide streetscape project, begun in 2004 and still incomplete in spring 2006, was a driving issue in the 2006 city elections. Kevin Fisher, an advertising executive, challenged incumbent mayor Bob Coble in a high profile race, resulting in the most expensive mayoral race in the city's history. Fisher aired numerous television ads questioning the city council's handling of the project, among other issues. However, Coble won a fifth term with a 62 percent of the vote.

Geography

Columbia is located at 34°1'1" North, 81°0'38" West (34.017105, -81.010759)1. Autumn, winter and spring are mild, with occasional winter nights below freezing but rarely extended cold. The city is at its most beautiful in the spring when masses of azaleas and other spring flowers bloom. Summers can be very hot, and the city, like other cities of the southeast, is prone to Inversions, which trap ozone and other pollutants over the area. One of Columbia's most interesting geographical features is its fall line, which is a boundary between an upland region and a coastal plain across which rivers from the upland region drop to the plain as falls or rapids. Columbia grew up at the fall line of the Congaree River, which is formed by the convergence of the Broad River and the Saluda River. The Congaree was the farthest inland point of river navigation. The energy of falling water also powered Columbia's early mills. The city has capitalized on this scenic location which includes three rivers by recently christening itself "The Columbia Riverbanks Region."

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 330.8 km² (127.7 mi²). 324.3 km² (125.2 mi²) of it is land and 6.4 km² (2.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.95% water.

Metropolitan area

The metropolitan statistical area of Columbia has a population estimate of 689,878, according to the 2005 estimates performed by the U.S. Census Bureau .

In Census 2000, the population for the then two-county metropolitan area (Richland and Lexington) was 536,691, of which about 78% was within the Columbia urbanized area proper (2000 pop.: 420,537). In June 2003, the United States Census Bureau added three more counties — Fairfield, Calhoun, Kershaw, and Saluda — to Columbia's standard metropolitan statistical area, giving its total population a significant boost. This metropolitan statistical area population of 689,878 (2005) ranks Columbia as the largest individual metro in South Carolina, though far behind the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area (2005 pop.: 1,185,534). As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Columbia itself is also part of a combined metro with the much smaller Newberry Micropolitan Area (total 2005 pop.: 727,128).

Columbia's metropolitan counties include:

Infrastructure

Municipal government

The city of Columbia operates under the council-manager form of government. The mayor and the six members of city council are elected to staggered four year terms. The mayor and two council members are elected at-large and four members are elected from districts. Elections are held in the Spring of even numbered years.

The mayor and council make policy and enact laws, rules and regulations in order to provide for future community and economic growth. Additionally, the council provides the necessary support for the orderly and efficient operation of city services.

Columbia's mayor, Bob Coble, was elected to his fifth term as mayor on April 4, 2006; he has occupied this position since 1990 and is the city's longest serving mayor. Council members are Sam Davis (District One), E.W. Cromartie II (District Two), Anne M. Sinclair (District Three), Kirkman Finlay III (District Four), Tameika Isaac Devine (At-Large) and Daniel J. Rickenmann (At-Large). The City Manager is Charles P. Austin, Sr.

See related article Past mayors of Columbia, South Carolina

Education

Colleges and universities
Columbia is home to the main campus of the state's flagship university, the University of South Carolina, which was chartered in 1801 as South Carolina College and in 1906 as the University of South Carolina. The university has 350 degree programs and enrolls more than 25,500 students throughout 15 degree-granting colleges and schools. It is an urban university, located in downtown Columbia.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has designated the university a research institution of "very high research activity" *. The school also has a world-renowned international business program, ranking No. 1 in the nation for its undergraduate international business program and No. 2 for its graduate international business program in the 2006 U.S. News & World Report college and graduate school guides. University of South Carolina's University 101 program is also frequently cited by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top programs of its kind in the nation.

As part of a new initiative geared towards making University of South Carolina a world-class research and technology school, the university is building Innovista, a unique new “innovation district” located between the campus' core and the banks of the Congaree River. Innovista is a standard-setting environment that draws its vibrancy from integrating public and private sector research and researchers with retail, restaurant, residential, and recreational facilities contained within a contemporary urban landscape.

Columbia is also home to:

  • Allen University - Allen University was founded in 1870 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It has a distinguished history and is widely recognized for its development of African-Americans who have made significant achievements and contributions in varied areas of specialization, nationally and internationally.
  • Benedict College - Founded in 1870, Benedict is an independent co-educational college. Benedict is one of the fastest growing of the 39 United Negro College Fund schools. In addition to an increase in enrollment, Benedict has also seen an increase in average SAT scores, Honors College enrollee rates, capital giving dollars, and the number of research grants awarded.
  • Columbia College - Founded in 1854, Columbia College is a private, four-year, liberal arts college for women with a coeducational Evening College and Graduate School. The College has been ranked since 1994 by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top ten regional liberal arts colleges in the South.
  • Columbia International University - Columbia International University is a biblically-based, private Christian institution committed to preparing men and women to know Christ and to make him known. Founded in 1923, CIU is recognized as having one of the leading ministry training programs in the world.
  • Midlands Technical College - Midlands Tech is part of the nation's most renowned technical education system. It is a two-year, comprehensive, public, community college, offering a wide variety of programs in career education, four-year college-transfer options, and continuing education. Small classes, individualized instruction, and student support services are provided. Most of the college's teaching faculty holds masters and doctoral degrees.
  • Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary - This institution, founded in 1830, is a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. One of the oldest Lutheran seminaries in North America, Southern is a fully accredited graduate school of theology preparing women and men for the ordained and lay ministries of the church. The wooded 17-acre campus is situated atop Seminary Ridge in Columbia, highest point in the Midlands area, near the center of South Carolina's capital city.

Private schools
  • Ben Lippen Schools
  • Cardinal Newman High School
  • Central Carolina Christian Academy
  • Heathwood Hall
  • Hammond School
  • Islamic Academy of Columbia
  • Palmetto Baptist Academy
  • St. John Neumann Catholic School
  • St. Joseph's Catholic School
  • St. Martin de Porres Catholic School
  • St. Peter's Catholic School
  • V.V. Reid Elementary
  • Bethel Learning Centers

Public schools

Transportation

The city and its surroundings are served by Columbia Metropolitan Airport (IATA:CAE; ICAO:KCAE). The airport itself is serviced by American Eagle, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Airways airlines.

Columbia benefits from an excellent interstate highway system, with three interstates— I-26, I-77, and I-20— forming an outer loop around the city. Other major highways include I-126, U.S. 1, U.S. 21, U.S. 176, U.S. 321, U.S. 378, and S.C. Route 277.

The city also has an Amtrak station, with the Silver Star trains connecting Columbia with New York City, Washington, DC, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami. Regional bus transportation is provided by the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA), which serves the greater Columbia area including Cayce, West Columbia, Forest Acres, Arcadia Lakes, Springdale, and the St. Andrews area. The authority was established in October 2002.

Greyhound Lines operates a station on Gervais Street, in the eastern part of downtown, providing Columbia with intercity bus transportation.

Downtown revitalization

In recent years, Columbia has been experiencing a downtown renaissance that shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. The most impressive redevelopment has occurred in the historic Congaree Vista, a 1200-acre district in the heart of the city. This historic area features a high concentration of historic buildings, which have been rehabilitated with contemporary flair. Of note is the adaptive reuse of the Confederate Printing Plant, which was used to print Confederate money, bonds, and handbills during the American Civil War, into a Publix grocery store, which garnered Columbia the 2005 Special Achievement Award for Economic Development from the International Downtown Association. Restaurants and bars, art galleries and museums, unique shops and professional office space, sporting arenas and entertainment venues add up to make the Congaree Vista popular with area residents and visitors. The Colonial Center is the largest arena in the state and is home to the University of South Carolina's men's and women's basketball teams. Another significant asset in the Vista is the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, South Carolina's only downtown convention center, which opened in 2004. This state of the art facility contains nearly 150,000 square feet of exhibit, classroom and ballroom space, and has brought much new convention and meeting business to the Vista area, even exceeding the expectations of city leaders in its first year of operation. Construction on a new Hilton convention center hotel is underway, along with an 800 space parking garage. Many residential projects have already been completed in the Vista, with more planned for the near future. At present, the CanalSide development, at the site of the old Central Correctional Institution, is the most high profile. Having recently broken ground, the development will have 750 residential units and provide access to Columbia's underutilized waterfront. A significant portion of the Three Rivers Greenway is located in the Congaree Vista, and the University of South Carolina's research campus will stretch across the historic district on over 200 acres.

Main Street, Lady Street, and the Five Points neighborhood are all undergoing beautification projects, conducted block by block, replacing curbs and gutters, adding brick pavers for sidewalks, angled parking, new street lights, plantings and site furnishings. Special efforts have been aimed at Main Street, which was once the center of the city's activity but suffered decline, like many other cities, due to retailers and shoppers moving out to suburban malls. The goal is to re-establish Main Street as a vibrant commercial and residential corridor. However, the streetscapings, along Main Street and in Five Points in particular, have taken their toll among local businesses located there. Many have been forced to close during the refurbishing, and some—notably the local favorite Sherlock Holmes Pub on Main Street—have actually gone out of business. In spite of this, many affected merchants believe that the streetscaping and beautification projects represent a positive aspect of the city's evolution.

The Meridian building, a 17-story $62 million office tower was completed in 2004 and First Citizens bank, which is the second-largest bank in the state, recently completed a new $40 million, 170,000 square foot headquarters tower on Main Street. The historic Palmetto Building, also on Main Street, is presently undergoing renovations, preparing to become a five-star Sheraton hotel. Along with recent residential development, Main Street is beginning to enjoy a renewed surge in popularity in Columbia. The Congaree Vista district and Main Street aren't the only areas in downtown benefiting from new residential development. The 178-acre former state mental hospital’s central campus, located on Bull Street, is the last and largest tract of land to come available in urban Columbia in decades. The state of South Carolina has plans to sell the site--which represents a huge opportunity for the city of Columbia. The vision is a hallmark of new urbanism, the architectural movement that focuses on higher-density residential development interspersed with green space, offices and retail. For this future development, 1,200 residential units and over 800,000 square feet of retail and office space are planned. The new Bull Street neighborhood also would feature a “town center” of stores and shops near its main entrance at Bull Street and Elmwood Avenue. This project is expected to have a rather significant economic impact on the city of Columbia--something unlike the city has seen within the past 50 years, according to the Central Carolina Community Foundation's Bull Street Committee, which will oversee the project.

Economy

Columbia has quite a diversified economy, with the major employers in the area being South Carolina state government, the Palmetto Health hospital system, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, and the University of South Carolina. Columbia is also home to the headquarters of SCANA, a Fortune 500 company which supplies energy to the Carolinas and Georgia. Other major employers in the Columbia area include Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army's largest training installation, Richland School District One, Humana/TriCare, and the United Parcel Service, which operates its Southeastern Regional Hub at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Major manufacturers such as Square D, SMI Steel, Spirax Sarco, Michelin, International Paper, Pirelli Cables, Honeywell, Westinghouse Electric, Harsco Track Tech, Trane, Intertape Polymer Group, Union Switch & Signal, Solectron, and Bose Corporation Technology have facilities in Columbia. The business climate in the Columbia region is a very solid one. There are over 70 foreign affiliated companies and fourteen Fortune 500 companies in the region. Colonial Life Supplemental Insurance, the second-largest supplemental insurance company in the nation, is headquartered in Columbia. Columbia also serves as the home of Siemens VDO Automotive Powertrain Diesel Systems North America headquarters, which is a leading international automotive supplier of electronics and mechatronics. First Citizens bank, the second largest bank in the state, is currently in the process of constructing a new headquarters tower downtown. Also, the Midlands region ranked second in the state for job creation in 2005 according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce *.

Many reputable publications and institutes recognize the strength and potential of the city's economy. Entrepreneur.com, Inc. listed Columbia 8th of 50 mid-sized metropolitan areas nationwide in its Entrepreneur and NPRC's 2005 Hot Cities for Entrepreneurs rankings. Expansion Management, a high profile company dedicated to helping companies evaluate future locations, recently named Columbia as one of America's top business opportunity metros out of 70 metropolitan areas nationwide. The company also ranked Columbia 21st in its "America's 50 Hottest Cities" list for business expansions and relocations; it was also listed as a "Five-Star Knowledge Worker Metro," which reflects the area's highly educated population. POLICOM, a company that specializes in studying the dynamics of local economies, placed the Columbia metropolitan region in the top 20th percentile among the 361 U.S. Census Bureau-designated metropolitan statistical areas nationwide (and first among metropolitan areas in the state) in its 2005 economic strength rankings. In Forbes 2005 "Best Places for Business and Careers" list, Columbia ranked 48th for cost of doing business and 29th for educational attainment among 150 metropolitan areas over 345,000 *. Columbia's economy is set to be revolutionized within the next few years with the establishment of the University of South Carolina's research campus, dubbed Innovista. Spreading out over 200 acres in the historic Congaree Vista district downtown and combining 5 million square feet of research labs, office space, mixed-use retail and affordable residential housing, research will be aimed at the emerging technologies and intellectual clusters—biomedical, environmental, nanotechnology, and future fuels—that companies will find extremely valuable in the global economy. Phase I of the campus is presently under construction and is slated to be completed by mid 2007.

People and culture

Demographics

City of Columbia
Population by Census YearMoore, John Hammond. Columbia and Richland County: A South Carolina Community, 1740-1990. University of South Carolina Press, 1993. ISBN 0-87249-827-1
1880 10,036
1890 15,353
1900 21,108
1910 26,319
1920 37,524
1930 51,581
1940 62,396
1950 86,914
1960 97,433
1970 113,542
1980 101,208
1990 98,052
2000 116,278
As of 2005, there are 117,088 people in the city proper, organized into 42,245 households, and 22,136 families. The population density is 358.5/km² (928.6/mi²). There are 46,142 housing units at an average density of 142.3/km² (368.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 49.22% White American, 45.98% Black or African American, 1.73% Asian American, 0.25% Native American, 0.09% Pacific Islander American, 1.36% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 3.03% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are three synagagues in Columbia, Beth Shalom (Conservative), Tree of Life Congregation (Reform), and the Chabad (Orthodox), which are located within a few hundred yards of each other, and one mosque. At last count, there are 661 places of worship in the city.

42,245 households out of which 25.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.5% are married couples living together, 17.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 47.6% are classified as "nonfamilies", which consist of persons living alone, roommate situations, and other non-traditional families. 37.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.21 and the average family size is 2.97.

In the city the population is spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 22.9% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years. For every 100 females there are 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.4 males. According to statistics from the 2000 Census, the percentage of the city's population holding bachelor's degrees or higher is 35.7%, compared with the state average of 20.4% and the national average of 24.4%.

Famous Natives and Residents

Among the famous people and groups connected to Columbia are:

Neighborhoods

Shopping

Popular shopping centers in the Columbia area include:
  • Columbia Place
  • Columbiana Centre
  • Dutch Square Mall
  • Richland Mall
  • The Village At Sandhill

The Five Points neighborhood, home to many locally-owned businesses, is known as Columbia's eclectic village shopping area. The Devine Street corridor offers a variety of upscale specialty shopping, including art and antiques, eclectic home furnishings, and men's, women's, and children's clothing. The historic Congaree Vista district downtown provides shoppers with a unique collection of shops filled with antiques, oriental rugs, jewelry, original artwork, hand-made furniture, and collectibles.

Media

Columbia's daily newspaper is The State and its alternative newspapers include The Columbia Star, The Free Times, and the SC Black News. Columbia Metropolitan Magazine is a bi-monthly publication about news and events in the metropolitan area. Columbia is home to the headquarters and production facilities of ETV and ETV Radio, the state's public television and public radio networks. The local television stations are:

Popular AM radio stations in the Columbia area include WCOS (1400 AM), WBAJ (890 AM), WQXL (1470 AM), WISW (1320 AM), WVOC (560 AM), WOIC (1230 AM), WGCV (620 AM), and WLGO (1170 AM). FM radio stations include WLTY (96.7 FM), WUSC-FM (90.5 FM), WARQ (93.5 FM), WMHK (89.7 FM), WOMG (103.1 FM), W240AX (95.9 FM), WCOS-FM (97.5 FM), WLTR (91.3 FM), WNOK (104.7 FM), WXBT (100.1 FM), WMFX (102.3 FM), WWDM (101.3 FM), WXRY (99.3 FM) WYFV (88.5 FM), WFMV (95.3 FM), WHXT (103.9 FM) and WLXC (98.5 FM).

See related article List of radio stations in South Carolina

Cultural and literary arts

  • Town Theatre is the country's oldest community theatre in continuous use. Located a block from the University of South Carolina campus, its playhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since 1917, the theatre has produced plays and musicals of wide general appeal.
  • Trustus Theatre is Columbia's professional theatre company. Founded 10 years ago, Trustus brought a new dimension to theatre in South Carolina's capital city. Patrons enjoy a relaxed Soho-style setting as they watch new shows directly from the stages of New York as well as classic shows rarely seen in Columbia.
  • The Nickelodeon Theatre is a small 77 seat store front theater located on the corner of Main and Pendleton Streets, adjacent to the campus of the University of South Carolina. In operation since 1979, "the Nick", run by the Columbia Film Society, is home to two film screenings each evening and an additional matinee three days a week. The Nick is the only non-profit art house film theater in South Carolina and is the home for 25,000 filmgoers each year.
  • Columbia Marionette Theatre has the distinction of being the only free standing theatre in the nation devoted entirely to marionette arts. Young and old alike enjoy the one-of-a-kind marionette productions presented at the theatre.
  • The South Carolina Shakespeare Company performs the plays of Shakespeare and other classical works throughout the state. Audiences are always full, proving the Bard's words remain as delightful today as they did centuries ago.
  • Workshop Theatre of South Carolina opened in 1967 as a place where area directors could practice their craft. The theatre produces musicals and Broadway fare and also brings new theatrical material to Columbia.
  • The South Carolina State Museum is a comprehensive museum with exhibits in science, technology, history and the arts. It is the state's largest museum and one of the largest museums in the Southeast.
  • The Columbia Museum of Art features changing exhibits throughout the year. Located at the corner of Hampton and Main Streets, the museum offers amazing art, lectures, films and guided tours.
  • EdVenture is the South's largest children's museum. Its state-of-the-art facility is located next to the South Carolina State Museum on Gervais Street. This delightful museum allows children to explore and learn while having fun.
  • McKissick Museum is located on the University of South Carolina campus. The museum features changing exhibitions of art, science, regional history and folk art.
  • The Confederate Relic Room and Museum showcases a relic collection from the Colonial period to the space age. The museum houses a wonderful collection of relics from the South Carolina confederate period.
  • The Richland County Public Library, named the 2001 National Library of the Year, serves area citizens through its main library and nine branches. The spectacular 242,000 square foot main library has an outstanding book collection, provides reference services, utilizes innovative technology, houses a wonderful children's collection and displays distinctive artwork.
  • The South Carolina State Library provides library services to all citizens of South Carolina through the interlibrary loan service utilized by the public libraries located in each county. Individuals are also welcome to visit the State Library to use materials from the collection.
  • The Columbia City Ballet is Columbia's internationally renowned ballet. Artistic Director William Starrett, formerly of the New York City Ballet, runs the company. The Columbia City Ballet specializes in top quality productions, including a Columbia favorite, Dracula.
  • The South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra is Columbia's resident orchestra. Under the direction of Maestro Nicholas Smith, the Philharmonic produces a full season of outstanding orchestral performances each year. World-renowned musicians come to Columbia to perform as guest artists with the orchestra.
  • The Columbia City Jazz Dance Company was formed in 1990 by artistic director Dale Lam and had the great honor of being named one of the "Top 50 Dance Companies in the USA" by Dance Spirit magazine. Columbia City Jazz specializes in modern, lyrical, and percussive jazz dance styles and has made themselves well known locally, regionally, and nationally through exhibitions, competitions, community functions and international tours in Singapore, Plovidv, Bulgaria, and Austria.
  • The Columbia Choral Society has been performing throughout the community since 1930. Under the direction of Dr. Timothy Koch, the group strives to stimulate and broaden interest in musical activities and to actively engage in the rehearsal and rendition of choral music.

Parks and outdoor recreational opportunities

One of the best known parks in the state of South Carolina, Finlay Park has hosted just about everything from festivals and political rallies to road races and Easter Sunrise services.

This beautiful 18-acre park has had two lives; first dedicated in 1859 as Sidney Park, named in honor of Algernon Sidney Johnson, a Columbia City Councilman, the park experienced an illustrious but short tenure. The park fell into disrepair after the Civil War and served as a site for commercial ventures until the late 1900's. In 1990, the park was reopened and has become a beautiful diamond in the downtown area, offering a green oasis in contrast to the glass, asphalt and concrete in the urban environment. It serves as the site for such events as Kids Day, The Summer Concert Series, plus many more activities. In 1992, the park was renamed Finlay Park, in honor of Kirkman Finlay, a past mayor of Columbia who had a vision to reenergize the historic Congaree Vista district, between Main Street and the river, and recreate the beautiful site that was formerly known as Sidney Park. Memorial Park is a four-acre tract of land in the Congaree Vista between Main Street and the river. The property is bordered by Hampton, Gadsden, Washington, and Wayne Streets and is one block south of Finlay Park. This park was created to serve as a memorial to those who served their county and presently has monuments honoring the USS Columbia warship and those that served with her during WWII, the China-Burma-India Theater Veterans of WWII, causalities of the Pearl Harbor attack of December 7, 1941 who were from South Carolina, and the State Vietnam War Veterans. The park was dedicated in November 1986 along with the unveiling of the South Carolina Vietnam Monument. In June 2000, the Korean War Memorial was dedicated at Memorial Park.

Granby Park opened in November 1998 as a gateway to the rivers of Columbia, adding another access to the many river activities available to residents. Granby is part of the Three Rivers Greenway, a system of green spaces along the banks of the rivers in Columbia, adding another piece to the long-range plan and eventually connecting to the existing Riverfront Park. Granby is a 24 acre linear park with canoe access points, fishing spots, bridges and 1/2 mile of nature trail along the banks of the Congaree River.

In the Five Points district of downtown Columbia is the park dedicated to the legacy and memory of the most celebrated civil rights leader in America, Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Formerly known as Valley Park, it was historically known to be largely restricted to Whites. Renaming the park after Martin Luther King, Jr. in the late 1980's was seen as a progressive and unifying event on behalf of the city, civic groups, and local citizens. The park features a beautiful water sculpture and a community center. An integral element of the park is the Stone of Hope monument, unveiled in January 1996. Upon the monument is inscribed a portion of King's 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech: "History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued that self-defeating path of hate. Love is the key to the solutions of the problems of the world."

One of Columbia's greatest assets is Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Riverbanks Zoo is a sanctuary for more than 2,000 animals housed in natural habitat exhibits along the Saluda River. Just across the river, the 70-acre botanical garden is devoted to gardens, woodlands, plant collections, and historic ruins. Riverbanks has been named one of America's top 10 zoos and the #1 travel attraction in the Southeast.

Situated along the meandering Congaree River in central South Carolina, Congaree National Park is home to champion trees, primeval forest landscapes, and diverse plant and animal life. This 22,200-acre park protects the largest contiguous tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States. The park is an international biosphere reserve. Known for its giant hardwoods and towering pines, the park’s floodplain forest includes one of the highest canopies in the world and some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States. Congaree National Park provides a sanctuary for plants and animals, a research site for scientists, and a place to walk and relax in a tranquil wilderness setting.

Sesquicentennial State Park is a 1,419-acre park, featuring a beautiful 30-acre lake surrounded by trails and picnic areas. The park's proximity to downtown Columbia and three major interstate highways attracts both local residents and travelers. Sesquicentennial is often the site of family reunions and group campouts. Interpretive nature programs is a major attraction to the park. The park also contains a two-story log house, dating back to the mid 1700's, which was relocated to the park in 1969. This house is believed to be the oldest building still standing in Richland County. The park was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. Evidence of their craftsmanship is still present today.

In November 1996, the River Alliance proposed that a 12-mile linear park system be created to link people to their rivers. This was named the Three Rivers Greenway, and the $18 million estimated cost was agreed to by member governments (the cities of Cayce, Columbia, and West Columbia) with the proviso that the Alliance recommend an acceptable funding strategy.

While the funding process was underway, an existing city of Columbia site located on the Congaree River offered an opportunity to be a pilot project for the Three Rivers Greenway. The Alliance was asked to design and permit for construction by a general contractor this component. This approximately one-half mile segment of the system was opened in November 1998. It is complete with 8-foot wide concrete pathways, vandal-proof lighting, trash receptacles, water fountains, picnic benches, overlooks, bank fishing access, canoe/kayak access, a public restroom and parking. These set the standards for the common elements in the rest of the system. Eventually, pathways will run from Granby to the Riverbanks Zoo. Boaters, sportsmen, fishermen will have access to the area, and additional recreational uses are being planned along the miles of riverfront. Running beside the historic Columbia Canal, Riverfront Park hosts a two and a half mile trail. Spanning the canal is an old railway bridge that now is a pedestrian walkway. The park is popular for walking, running, bicycling, and fishing. Picnic tables and benches dot the walking trail. Markers are located along the trail so that visitors can measure distance. The park is part of the Palmetto Trail, a hiking and biking trail that stretches the entire length of the state, from Greenville to Charleston.

Other parks in the Columbia area include:

  • Maxcy Gregg Park
  • Hyatt Park
  • Earlewood Park
  • Granby Park
  • Owens Field Park
  • Guinyard Park
  • Harbison State Forest

and a host of others.

Festivals and annual events

  • The South Carolina State Fair is held annually in Columbia in the month of October. Rides, food and games attract local and widespread attendants. Exhibits featuring art, crafts, flowers and livestock cover the fairgrounds.
  • St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Five Points is certainly a Columbia favorite. Held each March, this event features live bands, arts and crafts and a smorgasbord of tasty delights.
  • Riverfest Celebration is an annual festival held in early spring. The celebration includes a 5K River Run, musical entertainment, arts and crafts and food vendors.
  • Earth Day at Finlay Park is held each spring. This event brings together environmental booths and vendors as well as traditional festival favorites.
  • Three Rivers Music Festival is a three-day event that provides a wide array of national and regional musical acts. The festival also offers a variety of foods and beverages to enjoy while listening to the music.
  • Artista Vista has grown from a minor studio showcase in the early 1990's into a major draw for artists and collectors alike. The event is not only a chance to showcase artists from the Midlands, but across the Carolinas. While local artists make up the lion's share of the exhibits, Artista Vista has presented works from as far afield as Japan, Romania, and Poland.
  • The Greek Festival is held annually in September at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia. Traditional Greek dances, ceremonies, music, theatre, food and beverages are all part of this four-day festival.
  • The Irmo Okra Strut is a two-day festival held during the last weekend in September. The festival features a street dance, 10K road race, golf tournament, arts and crafts, rides, food and South Carolina’s largest festival parade.
  • FamilyFest, formerly known as GospelFest, is a one-day open air concert held in Finlay Park in late spring (usually late May or early June). Attracting tens of thousands of attendees, the concert is sponsored by local Gospel music radio station WFMV and features local and nationally-known Gospel artists.
  • Eau Claire Renaissance Faire Since its establishment in 1998, this event has become the signature event for the North Columbia neighborhood of Eau Claire. Events during the festival include the Renaissance Parade and an outdoor concert.
  • Main Street Jazz brings world-renowned performers to Columbia each spring. Elegant dining is available on Main Street to compliment the music of some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians.
  • Vista Lights is held each year in Mid-November. Open house walking tours and receptions, entertainment by local musicians and carriage rides through Columbia’s antique district are all highlights of this festival.
  • Jubilee: Festival of Heritage is a one-day event held at the historic Mann-Sims Cottage to recognize African-American heritage. The festival includes arts and crafts, storytelling and music and dance performances.

Sports

Club Sport Founded League Venue Logo

Columbia Inferno Hockey 2000 ECHL Carolina Coliseum

Columbia Blowfish Baseball 2005 Coastal Plain League Capital City Stadium

Columbia Rottweilers Basketball 2006 ABA HRC Arena

Columbia Olde Grey Rugby Union 1967 USA Rugby South Patton Stadium

Venues

The Colonial Center, which opened in 2002, is South Carolina's premiere arena and entertainment facility. Seating 18,000 for college basketball, it is the largest arena in the state of South Carolina and the tenth largest on-campus basketball facility in the nation, serving as the home of the men's and women's USC Gamecocks basketball teams. Located on the University of South Carolina campus, this one-of-a-kind facility features 41 suites, four entertainment suites, and the Frank McGuire Club, a full-service hospitality room that will have a capacity of 300. The state-of-the-art facility also features plush seating, a technologically advanced sound system, and a four-sided video scoreboard.

The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, which opened in September 2004, is a 142,500 square foot, modern, state-of-the-art facility designed to host a variety of meetings and conventions. Located in the historic Congaree Vista district, this facility is close to restaurants, antique and specialty shops, art galleries, and a vibrant nightlife. The main exhibit hall contains almost 25,000 square feet of space; the Columbia Ballroom over 18,000 square feet; and the five meeting rooms ranging in size from 1500 to 4000 square feet add another 15,000 square feet of space. The facility is located next to the Colonial Center.

Williams-Brice Stadium is the home of the USC Gamecocks football team and is one of the largest college football stadiums in the nation. It seats 80,250 persons and is located just south of downtown Columbia. The stadium was built in 1934 with help of federal Works Progress Administration funds and initially seated 17,600. The original name was Carolina Stadium, but on September 9, 1972 it was renamed to honor the Williams and Brice families. Mrs. Martha Williams-Brice had left much of her estate to the University for stadium renovations and expansions. Her late husband, Thomas H. Brice, played football for the University from 1922 to 1924.

The Koger Center for the Arts provides Columbia with theatre, music and dance performances from around the world. The facility seats 2,500 persons. The center is named for philanthropists Ira and Nancy Koger, who made a substantial donation from personal and corporate funds for construction of the $15 million center. The first performance at the Koger Center was given by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and took place on Saturday, January 14, 1989. The facility is known for hosting diverse events, from The State of the State Address to the South Carolina Body Building Championship and the South Carolina Science Fair.

The Carolina Coliseum, which opened in 1968, is a 12,400-seat facility which initially served as the home of the USC Gamecocks basketball teams. The arena is also easily adapted to serve other entertainment purposes, including concerts, car shows, circuses, ice shows, and other popular events. The versatility and quality of the Coliseum also have allowed the University to use the facility for performing arts events such as the Boston Pops, Chicago Symphony, Feld Ballet and other performances by important artists. An acoustical shell and a state-of-the-art lighting system assist the Coliseum in presenting such activities. The Coliseum is the home of the Columbia Inferno, an ECHL team.

The Township Auditorium seats 3,200 persons and is located in downtown Columbia. The Georgian Revival building was designed by the Columbia architectural firm of Lafaye and Lafaye and constructed in 1930. The Township has hosted thousands of events from concerts to conventions to wrestling matches. The auditorium was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on September 28, 2005.

Sister cities

Currently, the city of Columbia has four sister cities: Kaiserslautern, Germany Cluj-Napoca, Romania Plovdiv, Bulgaria Chelyabinsk, Russia

External links

Notes

Cities in South Carolina | Richland County, South Carolina | Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia (South Carolina) | Columbia (South Carolina) | Columbia (Suda Karolino) | Columbia (Caroline du Sud) | Columbia, South Carolina | Columbia (South Carolina) | Columbia (South Carolina) | コロンビア (サウスカロライナ州) | Columbia (Karolina Południowa) | Columbia (Carolina do Sul) | Columbia, South Carolina | Columbia (Južná Karolína) | Columbia (Etelä-Carolina) | Columbia, South Carolina

 

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