Reflections of Columbia

Take a historical journey from the founding of Columbia, South Carolina, through the Civil War, the Depression, World War II, civil rights, up to the present.

Closed captioning has been provided for this broadcast program.

Title:
Reflections of Columbia, Part 1 1
Reflections of Columbia, Part 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

Sitting on the Congaree River, Columbia, South Carolina has a rich, diverse, and celebrated history. Columbia was founded on what was once a plantation owned by Colonel Thomas Taylor. The “back...
Reflections of Columbia, Part 2 2
Reflections of Columbia, Part 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 4 8

In 1860, roughly 60% of the population in Columbia were slaves. 60% of the gross economic capital in South Carolina was in human property. With the growing popularity of the Republican Party, and...
Reflections of Columbia, Part 3 3
Reflections of Columbia, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 4 8

After Reconstruction, the local business community thrived in the 1880s. Horse-drawn trollies became common-place in the streets of Columbia, and the Columbia Canal was completed in 1882. “Mill...
Reflections of Columbia, Part 4 4
Reflections of Columbia, Part 4
Episode 4

Video

Grades: 8 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

The 1920s was a prosperous time for Columbia. The city experienced a cultural renaissance, even though the rural areas were feeling early pings of the oncoming depression. Dance clubs for both Whites...
Reflections of Columbia, Part 5 5
Reflections of Columbia, Part 5
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 8

The first sign of the Great Depression in South Carolina was the drastic drop in cotton prices. While the rest of the country was hit hard by the depression, those living in Columbia had an economic...
Reflections of Columbia, Part 6 6
Reflections of Columbia, Part 6
Episode 6

Video

Grades: 5

The addition of Columbia’s new Army training ground, Camp Jackson, would have a significant impact on the city. The U.S. was being drawn into World War Two, and many of the Army’s soldiers would come...
Reflections of Columbia, Part 7 7
Reflections of Columbia, Part 7
Episode 7

Video

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Higher Education

The 1950s signaled a decade of prosperity for Columbia, including drive-ins, drug-stores, hot cars, and rock and roll. Columbia residents recall their memories of the 1950s. Throughout the 50s and 60s...
Reflections of Columbia, Part 8 8
Reflections of Columbia, Part 8
Episode 8

Video

Grades: 8

In the 1970s, the growth of state government jobs and light industry began to draw people from outside the midlands into Columbia. New generations of residents moved back into Downtown Columbia, and...