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