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

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 is Columbia's third City Hall and Opera House, at the corner of Main and Gervais Streets, built in 1900; the city sold the property in 1936 and the building was replaced by the Wade Hampton Hotel, which was itself demolished in 1985. The National Loan and Exchange Building (later known as the Berringer Building) in the right background was Columbia's first skyscraper in 1903.

Courtesy of the Howard G. Woody Postcard Collection.

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History of SC Slide Collection / G. South Carolina Towns & Cities | History of SC Slide Collection / Columbia

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...

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.

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...

Main Street At Night, 1910 | History Of SC Slide Collection

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Main Street At Night, 1910 | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 4

Main Street, Columbia, as it appeared at night with its electric street lights in 1910. Courtesy of the Howard G. Woody Postcard Collection.

View Of The Congaree River And Columbia Canal | History Of SC Slide Collection

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View Of The Congaree River And Columbia Canal | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 5

This view of the Congaree River and the Columbia Canal was drawn by the artist A. Grivevald in 1859. Courtesy of the Columbia Museum of Art.

The Columbia Skyline As Seen From Gervais Street Bridge | History Of SC Slide Collection

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The Columbia Skyline As Seen From Gervais Street Bridge | History Of SC Slide Collection

Episode 6

The Columbia skyline as seen from across the Gervais Street Bridge in 1952. (Compare with The Congaree River Bridge, 1910) Courtesy of Mary Taylor.

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...

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...

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...

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"...