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

The Regulators | Palmetto Special

Video

In this section, the "Palmetto Special" leaves Columbia and travels to Spartanburg County. At the beginning of the program the Fall Line is defined, along with an introduction to the backcountry, the...
SC Economy | Palmetto Special

Video

The lesson begins with a young man making an "economic decision" concerning the purchase of a pair of running shoes. The host defines economics beginning with, "Economics is that branch of the social...
Rice Cultivation | Palmetto Special

Video

Three students take a field trip in "The Palmetto Special" as it travels from Columbia to Georgetown. After a brief stop at Poinsett State Park in Sumter County, the van arrives in Georgetown where...
Nancy Rhyne | A Literary Tour of South Carolina

Video

Nancy Rhyne resides in the capital city of South Carolina, after spending most of her adult life in the Lowcountry of our state. She began writing as a way to overcome a horrible experience she had in...
Jack Bass | A Literary Tour of South Carolina

Video

Jack Bass has authored or co-authored seven nonfiction books about the American South. His works focus on Southern politics, race relations and the role of law in shaping the civil rights era. With a...
Karen Petit | A Literary Tour of South Carolina

Video

This program features Karen Petit who is the author of Shandon’s Ivy League Mystery Series for children. In 2008, she published her first book for adults. A Paw on My Heart tells the author’s true...
Dinah Johnson | A Literary Tour of South Carolina

Video

Born in Charleston, Dinah Johnson is a graduate of Spring Valley High School in Columbia, went to college at Princeton University, and earned a Ph.D. from Yale University. Now a resident of Columbia...
Carla Damron | A Literary Tour of South Carolina

Video

Born in Sumter, Carla Damron now lives just outside Columbia. She draws on her experiences as a Southerner and a social worker with over twenty years in the mental health system, where she says, her...
Learning with RumbleLab | Carolina Money

Video

Carolina Money got to interview Moultrie Ball, founder of RumbleLab, about his inspiration for the company and what it does. Here, we get a hands-on experience with one of RumbleLab's engineering kits...