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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Walter Edgar introduces our speaker, Dr. Rodger Stroup, retired Director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
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Today, a private board of trustees runs the SC State Fair. Walter Edgar recalls his younger years, and remembers the “girly shows” at the SC State Fair, which discontinued around 1975. The last of the...
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The fairs of yester-year were far different from the fairs we know today. Dr. Stroup discusses what fairs were like before The Civil War. In this time period, fairs were held locally, and each county...
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Dr. Rodger Stroup, retired Director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, is taking a deep dive into the history of the South Carolina State Fair, doing research for an upcoming...
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The Chappelle Administration Building of Allen University, photographed by Richard S. Roberts in 1922, shortly after its construction. A school organized and run by African-Americans, it was...
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The unidentified woman in this portrait had her photo made in two ways: with her maid's uniform, and with her jewelry. She illustrates well the two separate roles that many African-American women...
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The family of photographer Walter L. Blanchard sitting in their Columbia dining room, around 1920. Photo by Blanchard. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
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The caption found on this photo reads: "The Keen Teens of the Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a national black youth organization, attended the Teenage Regional recently held in...
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These women are receiving their diplomas as "Gray Ladies," volunteers in Columbia's African-American hospital, around 1950. Alt-Lee photographers. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
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An integrated group of African-Americans and whites (which was unusual in its time) gathers at a USO meeting on Harden Street operated by the YWCA around the time of the Second World War. The woman...
