Richland

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.

Fairs Before The Civil War | Walter Edgar's Journal

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Fairs Before The Civil War | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 2

The fairs of yester-year were far different from the fairs we know today. Dr. Stroup discusses what fairs were like before The Civil War. In this time period, fairs were held locally, and each county...

History Of The South Carolina State Fair (Full Version) | Walter Edgar's Journal

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History Of The South Carolina State Fair (Full Version) | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 7

Dr. Rodger Stroup, retired Director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, is taking a deep dive into the history of the South Carolina State Fair, doing research for an upcoming...

The Chappelle Administration Building Of Allen University | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Chappelle Administration Building Of Allen University | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 8

The Chappelle Administration Building of Allen University, photographed by Richard S. Roberts in 1922, shortly after its construction. A school organized and run by African-Americans, it was...

Portrait Of Unidentified African American Woman | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Portrait Of Unidentified African American Woman | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 18

The unidentified woman in this portrait had her photo made in two ways: with her maid's uniform, and with her jewelry. She illustrates well the two separate roles that many African-American women...

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The Family Of Photographer Walter L. Blanchard | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 15

The family of photographer Walter L. Blanchard sitting in their Columbia dining room, around 1920. Photo by Blanchard. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

Keen Teens Of The Columbia Chapter Of Jack And Jill Of America, INC. | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Keen Teens Of The Columbia Chapter Of Jack And Jill Of America, INC. | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 9

The caption found on this photo reads: "The Keen Teens of the Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a national black youth organization, attended the Teenage Regional recently held in...

Gray Ladies Receiving Their Diplomas | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Gray Ladies Receiving Their Diplomas | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 8

These women are receiving their diplomas as "Gray Ladies," volunteers in Columbia's African-American hospital, around 1950. Alt-Lee photographers. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

USO Meeting On Harden Street | History Of SC Slide Collection

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USO Meeting On Harden Street | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

An integrated group of African-Americans and whites (which was unusual in its time) gathers at a USO meeting on Harden Street operated by the YWCA around the time of the Second World War. The woman...

The Richland Volunteer Rifle Company | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Richland Volunteer Rifle Company | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 5

The Richland Volunteer Rifle Company. Charles Cronenberry (1858-1915) is the sergeant, seated in the center of the group of three men wearing dark jackets, in front of the tent, at the center of the...

Four African American Men Sing Into Microphone At WNOK Radio | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Four African American Men Sing Into Microphone At WNOK Radio | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 11

Four young African-American men in uniform sing into the microphone of WNOK radio, Columbia, during the era of World War II. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

The Chatter Box Dance Band | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Chatter Box Dance Band | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 10

The Chatter Box dance band provided a big band sound for the popular dancing of the 1940s. Mary Taylor, at the extreme right, joined the "all girl violin section" in March 1944. Mrs. Taylor later ran...

Classical Or Serious Music In South Carolina | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Classical Or Serious Music In South Carolina | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Classical or serious music has a long history in South Carolina. The St. Cecilia Society (still in existence today) was founded in Charleston in 1762 to bring the best concert music available to that...

Motorcycle Enthusiasts Protest Against Mandatory Helmet Law | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Motorcycle Enthusiasts Protest Against Mandatory Helmet Law | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

Motorcycle enthusiasts in front of the State House protest a proposal to make safety helmets mandatory for all motorcycle riders. Photo by Doug Gilmore, published October 1985. Courtesy of "The State"...

Hunting Wild Turkeys | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Hunting Wild Turkeys | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 3

Hunting wild turkeys has been a sport and a means of providing food in South Carolina since before the arrival of the first European settlers. This turkey was shot by Calder W. Seibels of Columbia...

Columbia All-Stars | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Columbia All-Stars | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

The Columbia All-Stars were an African-American professional baseball team. Photo by Walter Livingston Blanchard, ca. 1920. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

University Of South Carolina Football Team, Around 1950 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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University Of South Carolina Football Team, Around 1950 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 4

The University of South Carolina football team around 1950, playing at Melton Field Stadium, with the crowd kept back by ropes. Note the difference not only between these uniforms and today's uniforms...

Columbia Duck Mill Textile Plant, 1935 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Columbia Duck Mill Textile Plant, 1935 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 11

Columbia Duck Mill textile plant, photographed in 1935. Constructed next to the Columbia Canal in 1893, the Mount Vernon Mill, also known as the Columbia Duck Mill because it manufactured heavy "duck"...

Main Street, Columbia, Looking South, Around 1930 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Main Street, Columbia, Looking South, Around 1930 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 10

Main Street, Columbia, looking south, around 1930. The white Palmetto Building, constructed in 1912-1913, dwarfs the Berringer building behind it as one looks toward the State House. Courtesy of the...

President William Howard Taft's Visit To Columbia, 1910 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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President William Howard Taft's Visit To Columbia, 1910 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 9

President William Howard Taft visited Columbia in 1910. This post card view from the State House grounds during the Taft visit shows an extensive vista up Main Street as well. The building on the left...

The Congaree River Bridge, 1910 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Congaree River Bridge, 1910 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 8

The Congaree River Bridge carries Gervais Street across the river to Lexington County. This panorama of Columbia looking east from the bridge shows the development of the capitol city around 1910...

African American Nursemaids In Senate Street View Postcard, 1910 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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African American Nursemaids In Senate Street View Postcard, 1910 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 7

The African-American nursemaids, in this postcard view of Senate Street around 1910, push their young charges in baby buggies past elegant Victorian mansions of the Columbia well-to-do. The red brick...