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.
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A ladder in this room at the top of the outer dome leads to the platform from which the United States and South Carolina flags are raised and lowered. An image on this page shows the view looking up...
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This is a large reproduction of the South Carolina bicentennial medallion which was minted in honor of the American Revolution. It incorporates the state arms which were designed by William Henry...
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Original twin cast-iron grand staircases on each side of the lower lobby lead to the main lobby and to the entrances to the South Carolina House and Senate chambers. Interesting non-architectural...
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The west wing of the lower lobby houses the office of the governor of South Carolina. It is here and in adjoining rooms that the chief executive officer of the state and his staff conduct the business...
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The lower lobby offers an excellent example of the intricate craftsmanship of early South Carolina brickwork. To construct the multi-arched ceiling, which is made of red clay bricks, the builders and...
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The stone columns of the lower lobby, as well as all of the stone in the State House building, are blue granite, the state stone of South Carolina. Ninety percent of the blue granite used in the...
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The pink and white floors of the lower lobby are over 100 years old. The white marble, like that of the walls, is from Georgia. The pink marble is from Tennessee.
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A result of the State House renovations, a significant change to the lower lobby has been the addition of white Georgian marble to the walls.
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The unveiling of this African American History Monument on March 26, 2001, made South Carolina the first of the fifty states to have a monument dedicated to black history on the grounds of its state...
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The inscription reads: “Captain Swanson Lunsford, a native of Va., and for many years a resident of Columbia. Died August 7, 1799 . . . Aged about 40 years. He was a member of Lee’s Legion in the...
