Columbia South Carolina
How was Columbia SC named?
It was chartered as a town in 1805 and as a city in 1854. Columbia was named for Christopher Columbus, and it was South Carolina's first planned city (wide streets arranged in a grid pattern) and the second planned city in the United States (Savannah was the first).
Why is Columbia SC important?
Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, the state's flagship public university and the largest in the state. The area has benefited from Congressional support for Southern military installations. Columbia is the site of Fort Jackson, the largest United States Army installation for Basic Combat Training.
Why is Columbia South Carolina so hot?
Columbia is in the “perfect topographical area” for producing hot temperatures in the summer. The city in central South Carolina is too far from the coast to take advantage of sea breezes. The Midlands' prevailing winds are generally from the southwest, which produces warmer air.
Is Columbia SC A growing city?
COLUMBIA, S.C. — According to the U.S. Census Bureau, South Carolina is the 10th fastest growing city in the nation. The city has grown 5% since 2010, according to Ryan Coleman, the city's Director of the Economic Development
Why was the capital moved from Charleston to Columbia?
In 1786 the South Carolina Assembly voted to move the state capital to Columbia, a more geographically, centralized location.
Why is Columbia SC The Soda City?
Columbia is affectionately known as the "Soda City" by locals, but not because any soda was invented or manufactured there. Instead, the nickname comes from an old abbreviation of Columbia to "Cola.
10 things to know about the new Southern hot spot so you'll fit right in.
- Columbia is the first city in the US named for Christopher Columbus. The name Columbia won over the other popular option, Washington.
- Columbia is affectionately known as the "Soda City" by locals, but not because any soda was invented or manufactured there. Instead, the nickname comes from an old abbreviation of Columbia to "Cola."
- The Soda City was founded in 1786, but you won't see many 18th or early-19th century buildings there. That's because two-thirds of Columbia burned to the ground during the Civil War when Gen. William T. Sherman entered the city in 1865.
- The tallest trees east of the Mississippi are just 20 miles outside of town in Congaree National Park. Congaree has more than two dozen "champion trees," or trees that are the largest of their species.
- Riverbanks Zoo is one of fewer than half a dozen zoos in the US that has a permanent koala exhibit. And yes, they are as adorable as you might imagine.
- The Dreher Shoals Dam (popularly known as the Lake Murray Dam), a few miles upriver from Columbia, was the largest earthen dam in the world when it was built in 1930. During the great flood of 2015, water behind the dam rose to above flood stage. Every single flood gate in the dam was opened and even the hydroelectric power plant at the base was sacrificed to prevent a breach. The old earthen dam held, possibly saving thousands of lives.
- Columbia is home to one of only a handful of dedicated puppet theaters in the nation. The Columbia Marionette Theater was built specifically for this unusual art form, and a show there is like no other puppet show you've seen.
- Assembly Street in downtown Columbia is remarkably wide for a city street of anytime, but it's even more remarkable when you learn it was designed that way in the 18th century. Why so broad? Local lore says it's because the early city planners hoped that it would be too wide for mosquitoes to cross.
- The first textile mill run completely by electricity in the world opened in Columbia in 1894. The enormous red brick building that housed the mill is now home to the South Carolina State Museum. You can still see tiny bits of the mill's spinning machinery that became embedded in the original wooden floors.
- Synchronous fireflies, or fireflies that light up all at the same time, are found in only half a dozen places in the entire world. One of them happens to be right outside Columbia, in Congaree National Park. The fireflies put on their show in late May and early June. As a link to the amazing show, the city's minor league baseball team, which started play in 2016, is named the Columbia Fireflies. Some of the team's merchandise even glows in the dark.
Southern hot spot Columbia, in South Carolina, is steeped in history and culture, and calls to tourists with heritage-filled neighborhoods, beautiful parks, world-class museums, and plenty of fun outdoor adventures. South Carolina's capital city since 1786, Columbia was physically and culturally transformed by the Civil War.
Today, the city is the vibrant home of the University of South Carolina; enjoys a diverse economic landscape fueled by high-tech, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries; and has emerged as a contemporary, shining New South city. A favorite place to visit in the southeast for tourists, Columbia is known for its compact, easily navigable streets, as well as its Southern charm, cuisine, and hospitality.
For the best sightseeing opportunities be sure to refer often to our list of the top attractions and things to do in Columbia, South Carolina.
Learn about problems with mold in Columbia SC
