The New Student's Reference Work/Columbia (South Carolina)

Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, is situated on the left bank of the Congaree River. The town is beautifully laid out with broad and well-shaded streets, all of which cross at right angles. Having been the capital of the state since 1790, it has many imposing public buildings, including the state-house, penitentiary, hospital for the insane, etc. Several well-known colleges and quite a number of fine cotton-mills are located in the city. When the city was evacuated by the Confederates at the approach of Gen. Sherman in the spring of 1865, large quantities of cotton piled in the streets caught or were set on fire, and all the business section and many private residences were consumed. The population in 1900 was 21,108; to-day it is 26,319.