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.

Main Street, 1906 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Main Street, 1906 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 3

This Columbia view of Main Street, looking south, in 1906. Originally named "Richardson Street," the name was changed to Main Street in 1892, since the street had become the city's main central hub of...

View Of Columbia From Across The Congaree River | History Of SC Slide Collection

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View Of Columbia From Across The Congaree River | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 2

This view of Columbia from across the Congaree River appeared in the New York "Illustrated News" on January 5, 1861. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

Map Of Taylor's Farm | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Map Of Taylor's Farm | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 1

Map of Taylor's Farm, or the original survey plat of Columbia. Before the Revolution, the newly established settlements in the Upcountry of South Carolina did not have much voice in the government of...

Owen's Field, The First Air Express Out Of Columbia | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Owen's Field, The First Air Express Out Of Columbia | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 5

The first air express out of Columbia, at Owens Field, 1936. Mayor L.B. Owens poses with M.A. Shepard and Robert Reed, pilot and co-pilot. The plane was owned by Delta Airlines. Courtesy of the South...

Malfunction Junction | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Malfunction Junction | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 22

Columbians call this complicated intersection of Interstate Highways 26 and 126 with Bush River Road, just north of their city, "Malfunction Junction." Photo by Todd Houston, June 1987. Courtesy of...

School Buses Pull Up At Sesquicentennial State Park, 1941 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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School Buses Pull Up At Sesquicentennial State Park, 1941 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 10

School buses pull up to unload children for a day of recreation at Sesquicentennial State Park, near Columbia, in 1941. Courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.

Starting A Car By Hand Crank | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Starting A Car By Hand Crank | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 5

Early automobiles did not have self-starters. In this posed picture, the children of Columbia photographer Walter L. Blanchard are turning the crank of their family automobile in front of their home...

Trolley System In Columbia, 1908 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Trolley System In Columbia, 1908 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 16

This photograph of the retail section of Columbia in 1908 shows the trolley system in use in the city. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

Main Street, Columbia, With Street Car Traffic | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Main Street, Columbia, With Street Car Traffic | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 14

Main Street, Columbia, with street car traffic, around 1912. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

Union Station | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Union Station | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 12

Union Station, Columbia, in 1962, after the heyday of the railroads had passed. At its height, the Union Station served passenger trains of the Atlantic Coast Line, the Southern Railway and the...

Seaboard Railroad Trestle Across The Broad River | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Seaboard Railroad Trestle Across The Broad River | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

In 1916, the Broad River flooded between Leeds and Carlisle, making the Seaboard Railroad trestle across the Broad the only passable roadway. Courtesy of the Winthrop University Archives.

Lake Murray Pleasure Boaters Form A Pontoon | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Lake Murray Pleasure Boaters Form A Pontoon | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 10

Pleasure boaters on Lake Murray form a pontoon boat raft. Photo by Bill Kalis, June 23,1986. Courtesy of "The State" newspaper.

Wheeler's Transfer and Livery Company, in Columbia | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Wheeler's Transfer and Livery Company, in Columbia | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Wheeler's Transfer and Livery Company in Columbia was photographed with some of the variety of vehicles available for hire displayed in front of their office and stables in 1910. Courtesy of the South...

Horse Drawn Wagons And Buggies For Hire | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Horse Drawn Wagons And Buggies For Hire | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 4

Horse-drawn transportation provided opportunities for a number of businesses, just as a wide range of businesses offer service, sale, repair and rental of cars and trucks. This advertisement for...

The Columbia Hotel | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Columbia Hotel | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 7

The Columbia Hotel, long a landmark for visitors to the city, was torn down in 1972. It appears here in a postcard photograph around 1900. Courtesy of the Howard G. Woody Postcard Collection.

A Street Merchant Selling Souvenirs | History Of SC Slide Collection

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A Street Merchant Selling Souvenirs | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

Street merchant Lynn Cohens sells souvenirs at the corner of Assembly and Rosewood during the visit of Pope John Paul to Columbia, September 1987. Photo by Sean Keeter. Courtesy of "The State"...

The Retail Section Of Columbia, 1908 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Retail Section Of Columbia, 1908 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 4

The retail section of Columbia, photographed in 1908. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

The Columbia Retail District | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Columbia Retail District | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Columbia retail district, Main Street, around 1908. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.

Water Power | History of SC Slide Collection

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Water Power | History of SC Slide Collection

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Water power was an important resource for early industry in South Carolina. This mill south of Columbia created a mill pond where the state fair grounds are now located. The presence of the mill and...

A Beamer At Work | History of SC Slide Collection

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A Beamer At Work | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 11

This interior view of the Mount Vernon Mill, Columbia, shows a beamer at work around 1960. Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum.

A Man Threads Cotton Thread Onto Spools | History of SC Slide Collection

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A Man Threads Cotton Thread Onto Spools | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 10

A man threads cotton thread onto spools at the Mount Vernon Mill, 1960-62. Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum.

The Mount Vernon Mill | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Mount Vernon Mill | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

The Mount Vernon Mill, also known as the Columbia Duck Mill because it manufactured heavy cotton duck cloth, is now the site for South Carolina's State Museum. It was the first electric-powered...

The Olympia and Granby Cotton Mills | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Olympia and Granby Cotton Mills | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 5

Not to be outdone by Greenville's claim (see The Woodside Cotton Mill), this Columbia postcard of around 1915 describes the Olympia and Granby Cotton Mills: "Olympia Mill, the largest cotton mill...

The Lumbering Industry | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Lumbering Industry | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 7

"From its first shipment of Carolina products to England in 1670, when seven cedar boards were included, lumbering in many forms has brought dependable wealth to South Carolina. In all its phases...

Richland

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