Old Images of Columbia, South Carolina

From ‘A view of South Carolina, as respects her natural and civil concerns’ by John Drayton, published in 1802:

“Columbia is the feat of government of this state; and its situation is just below the confluence of Broad and Saluda rivers, on the eastern side of the Congaree river. It was so called by act of assembly in 1786; at which time measures were taken for the first settling of the town and the departments of government met there in December, 1789; and continue to do so at stated periods.

This town is laid off by a regular plan; its streets intersecting each other at right angles. The buildings are erected about three quarters of a mile from the Congaree, on a ridge of high land, near three hundred feet above the level of that river; from which a delightful prospect is presented. Here the state-house, situated on a beautiful eminence, is to be seen, at the distance of many miles, from various parts of the country.

And soon, we hope, the South Carolina College will rise an ornament to the town; respectable from its establishment, but still more from the learning and friendship, which a national institution, like this, cannot fail to promote among the youth from all parts of this state; an object, particularly desirable to all true lovers of their country.

Some successful attempts have been made, at Columbia, in raising grapes and making wine; and a few casks of this grateful liquor have been there made by Mr. Benjamin Waring; whose flavor was agreeable, and not unlike Sicily wine. To this gentleman, also, the public is indebted for the erection of an oil mill in Columbia, by which, from a bushel of cotton feed, he extracts half a gallon of oil.

And to Mr. Stephen Brown, also, the public are obliged, for the establishment of a valuable rope walk, just without the skirts of the town; which is not only a great convenience to the interior of this state, but also much promotes the cultivation of hemp, as a new object of agriculture.

Columbia consists of about eighty or one hundred dwelling houses; and during the sittings of the legislature, assumes a gay appearance.

At other times a calmness and quiet reigns, far different to the noise and bustle of a legislative session; or to that of a large trading city. This tranquility is, however, often roused into active business, by the arrival
of loaded waggons from the upper country; and were a suitable bridge thrown across the Congaree, just below Granby, there is little doubt, but the trade of this town would thereby experience a very happy increase.”