Columbia Guide » More About Columbia: Overview
Overview
Columbia has an interesting history. In 1786, the SC General Assembly agreed to move the state capital from Charleston to a more central location. This spot, located just above the fall line at the convergence of two rivers into the Congaree was chosen, and work commenced to plan the city. Only the second planned city in the US, Columbia was developed with extra-wide streets (100 to 150 feet) as a method of pest control: People mistakenly believed that mosquitoes could not fly more than 60 feet without dying of starvation. For the next 80 years, Columbia flourished. Then in one fell swoop at the end of the Civil War, General Sherman's troops arrived and destroyed most of the city's government and military structures, and many residences. The residents eventually rebuilt, of course, and by WWI the US army established Fort Jackson on the outskirts of town as a temporary training facility. The fort would go on to become the largest basic training facility in the US.
In more recent years, Columbia's downtown core has undergone major improvements. A complete overhaul of the former warehouse district led to the creation of "The Vista," an appealing conglomeration of art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bars. Other sectors have undergone attractive streetscaping and are more pedestrian-friendly than ever. The cosmopolitan city has a thriving arts scene – on any given night, you might catch a concert, see a theater or dance performance, or check out an indie or foreign film. The bounty has encouraged several people onto fame, such as writer James Dickey, actress Kristin Davis, director Stanley Donen, and bands Hootie and the Blowfish and Crossfade.
The University of South Carolina is a major source of pride for Columbians, and helps keep prices affordable and the vibe youthful. Along with providing the community with a constant calendar of sporting events (Go, Cocky!) and performing arts, the university is also in the process of building "Innovista," a dynamic private-public campus focusing on hydrogen fuel cell research, keeping Columbia on the cutting edge of technology.
With three rivers, outdoor pursuits, especially kayaking and canoeing, are quite popular and easily accessible. The nearby Congaree National Park to the south and Lake Murray to the north mean that a weekend of hiking, boating, fishing and camping is just a short drive away. Closer to home base, the city maintains a number of great green spaces, including Riverfront, Saluda Shoals and Finlay parks.
With its wealth of recreational opportunities, a busy performing arts calendar and the largest university in the state, Columbia truly has much to recommend it. The city has earned numerous accolades over the past few years – most recently it was ranked 60 out of 354 cities by Places Rated Almanac, and was dubbed one of the best by Where to Retire magazine. Touted as a prime city for relocation, it's also fantastic for weekend getaways and family vacations.
