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 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.
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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"...
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The retail section of Columbia, photographed in 1908. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
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The Columbia retail district, Main Street, around 1908. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
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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...
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This interior view of the Mount Vernon Mill, Columbia, shows a beamer at work around 1960. Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum.
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A man threads cotton thread onto spools at the Mount Vernon Mill, 1960-62. Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum.
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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...
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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...
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"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...
