Richland

Richland County lies in the South Carolina midlands. Its county seat, Columbia, also serves as the state capital.

Richland County lies in the South Carolina midlands. Its county seat, Columbia, also serves as the state capital.

The county was founded in 1785 within the Camden District, and its name most likely refers to the “rich land” of the county. In 1791, Richland County became smaller when land previously belonging to this county was added to Kershaw County.

During the Civil War, Sherman entered Richland County and occupied Columbia before setting it on fire.

Since its founding, Columbia has served as an economic hub for the state, especially in terms of trade and manufacturing. The county is home to Fort Jackson, Congaree National Park, and multiple lakes and rivers. Notable county residents include Senator Wade Hampton and President Woodrow Wilson.

 

SOURCES: About Richland County

Working For The S.C. Confederate Relic Room And Museum
Episode 13

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Dr. Fritz Hamer talks about his career path, and how he became the curator of history, and archivist at South Carolina's Confederate Relic Room And Military Museum. Check out Knowitall's virtual tour...
Confederate Relic Room | Let's Go!

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The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum 's mission is to collect and preserve the military history of this state. When visitors enter Columbia's oldest museum, they will uncover...
Woodrow Wilson Family Home | Let's Go!

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The Woodrow Wilson House in Columbia is the only museum in the nation dedicated to telling the story of Reconstruction. Reconstruction - the period after the end of the Civil War - remains one of the...
Mann Simons Site | Let's Go!

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The Mann-Simons Site, home to the same entrepreneurial African American family for nearly 130 years, traces the journey of Columbia’s African American community from enslavement through urban renewal...
Matthew Perry
Episode 102

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Upon returning home to Columbia, Matthew Perry established the Jenkins and Perry Law Firm, and became the chief legal counsel for the S.C. NAACP, where he began the battle toward the desegregation of...
Matthew Perry
Episode 103

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In 1975, after a nomination from Senator Strom Thurmond, then President Gerald Ford nominated Matthew Perry to a position on the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. Perry discusses what the Court of...
Matthew Perry
Episode 101

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Matthew Perry was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on August 3, 1921. Perry grew up in Columbia, and attended South Carolina State University, where he studied business administration. His education...