Reflections of Columbia, Part 3 - Columbia Enters The 20th Century | Carolina Stories - Episode 3

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 villages” just South of Columbia increased with the number of textile mills popping up around the city.  The late 1800s saw the creation of two Columbias: One being the White Main Street area, and African-Americans had business districts around Benedict College, in the Harden Street area. Despite the negativity of Jim Crow laws, there were some benefits for the Black community living in Columbia. The concept of parallel socio-economic development became an established way of life for both communities. 

 

Grades

  • 4
  • 8

Subjects

Collection

Series

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 villages” just South of Columbia increased with the number of textile mills popping up around the city.  The late 1800s saw the creation of two Columbias: One being the White Main Street area, and African-Americans had business districts around Benedict College, in the Harden Street area. Despite the negativity of Jim Crow laws, there were some benefits for the Black community living in Columbia. The concept of parallel socio-economic development became an established way of life for both communities. 

 

Después de la Reconstrucción, la comunidad empresarial local prosperó en la década de 1880. Los carritos tirados por caballos se convirtieron en algo común en las calles de Columbia, el Canal de Columbia se completó en 1882. Las “aldeas de molinos” al sur de Columbia aumentaron con el número de fábricas textiles que aparecieron en la ciudad. A fines del siglo XIX, se crearon dos Columbias: una en el área de White Main Street, y los afroamericanos tenían distritos comerciales alrededor de Benedict College, en el área de Harden Street. A pesar de la negatividad de las leyes de Jim Crow, hubo algunos beneficios para la comunidad negra que vive en Columbia. El concepto de desarrollo socioeconómico paralelo se convirtió en una forma de vida establecida para ambas comunidades.  

More in this Series

Carolina Stories / Reflections of Columbia

Reflections of Columbia, Part 8 - Late 20th Century And Future | Carolina Stories - Episode 8 Reflections of Columbia, Part 1 1

Video

Grades

  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • Higher Education
Reflections of Columbia, Part 1
Episode 1
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 8 - Late 20th Century And Future | Carolina Stories - Episode 8 Reflections of Columbia, Part 2 2

Video

Grades

  • 4
  • 8
Reflections of Columbia, Part 2
Episode 2
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 4 4

Video

Grades

  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • Higher Education
Reflections of Columbia, Part 4
Episode 4
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 8 - Late 20th Century And Future | Carolina Stories - Episode 8 Reflections of Columbia, Part 5 5

Video

Grades

  • 8
Reflections of Columbia, Part 5
Episode 5
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 8 - Late 20th Century And Future | Carolina Stories - Episode 8 Reflections of Columbia, Part 6 6

Video

Grades

  • 5
Reflections of Columbia, Part 6
Episode 6
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 8 - Late 20th Century And Future | Carolina Stories - Episode 8 Reflections of Columbia, Part 7 7

Video

Grades

  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • Higher Education
Reflections of Columbia, Part 7
Episode 7
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

Video

Grades

  • 8
Reflections of Columbia, Part 8
Episode 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...