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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Carolina Stories - Roots in the River: The Story of Congaree National Park, Part 1 This segment sets the context for the story, which resulted in the Congaree Swamp's preservation as a National Park...
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When a group of kids came on a school bus to tour the Swamp, Frank Beidler was touched, and the Beidlers expressed a willingness to sell the property. But the Senators couldn't agree. The Legislative...
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The conclusion to Roots in the River. Various people reflect on their feelings about Congaree and the majesty of it!
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By 1975, public sentiment in favor of protecting the forest was growing, and the issue was gaining media attention. In June 1975, Gov. James B. Edwards took a stand against the land being condemned...
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In 2003, the Congaree became the nation's 57th national park, the only one in South Carolina. The visitor's center is named for Harry Hampton, who died in 1980. It has been declared an international...
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The Congaree land was leased to a well-known nature writer, Harry Hampton, and his brothers for a hunt club. But Harry, who served as associate editor of The State Newspaper for many years, was more...
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The Congaree Land Trust helps to preserve the land surrounding the park and its neighboring rivers, the Congaree, the Wateree and the Santee Within this huge river system known as the Cowasee Basin...
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Bottomland hardwood forests once spread out along the banks of all Southern floodplain rivers, covering 15 million acres. Today, all the great Southern river-bottom forests have been cleared or...
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In 1970, the environmental movement was just beginning, and the country's youth were taking up the cause. In Columbia, a group of young people began listening to Harry Hampton, building up the the...
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The Straw Bale House in Winnsboro, South Carolina was started as a project for students in the Sustainable Construction class at Midlands Technical College. The retreat was designed for a child who...
