Russell Maxey (1906 - 1994) was an educator, engineer and photographer, and from 1924 – 1986 he photographed almost every public building in Columbia. Maxey was an assistant chief engineer with Kline Iron and Steel Company and an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of South Carolina. He was a registered professional civil engineer and was associated with American Bridge Company, Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Geological Aerial Survey, and the War Department Corps of Engineers.  He was also the author of the following books:  Airports of Columbia : a history in photographs & headlines; The Columbia High School story; South Carolina's historic Columbia : yesterday and today in photographs; and Columbia's bicentennial, 1786-1986 : the keepsake edition.

Russell Maxey (1906 - 1994) was an educator, engineer and photographer, and from 1924 – 1986 he photographed almost every public building in Columbia. Maxey was an assistant chief engineer with Kline Iron and Steel Company and an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of South Carolina. He was a registered professional civil engineer and was associated with American Bridge Company, Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Geological Aerial Survey, and the War Department Corps of Engineers.  He was also the author of the following books:  Airports of Columbia : a history in photographs & headlines; The Columbia High School story; South Carolina's historic Columbia : yesterday and today in photographs; and Columbia's bicentennial, 1786-1986 : the keepsake edition.

Russell Maxey (1906 - 1994) was an educator, engineer and photographer, and from 1924 – 1986 he photographed almost every public building in Columbia. Maxey was an assistant chief engineer with Kline Iron and Steel Company and an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of South Carolina. He was a registered professional civil engineer and was associated with American Bridge Company, Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Geological Aerial Survey, and the War Department Corps of Engineers.  He was also the author of the following books:  Airports of Columbia : a history in photographs & headlines; The Columbia High School story; South Carolina's historic Columbia : yesterday and today in photographs; and Columbia's bicentennial, 1786-1986 : the keepsake edition.

Generally a March visit to Columbia would be a spring time treat unless, of course, you are shot to death in the Jefferson Hotel cafeteria. Bell Captain John Bassard easily recalled March 8, 1940 when a "black clad and heavily veiled" woman entered the cafeteria and shot 58 year old Isabella Burleson. Isabella was having a late lunch with her husband, Richard, when Maisie Walker Burleson, first wife of Richard, "pumped two .45 slugs" into her back and chest.

In 1920, the Jefferson Hotel hired 19-year-old John Bassard for a bellboy position. Over time, Bassard became the Bell Captain and stayed with the Jefferson until it was demolished in 1968.  During his employment he witnessed a murder and assisted famous guests like Jack Dempsey, Eleanor Roosevelt and Robert Kennedy. 

Columbians, attired in “smart evening dress”, celebrated the opening of the Jefferson Hotel on May 13, 1913.  The city was anticipating a thoroughly modern hotel from the rathskellar in the basement to the electric sign on the roof.  The $250,000 complex, at 1800 Main St., was owned, operated and built by John Cain. Cain also built the Palmetto Building and the Arcade.

In April 1963, U.S Attorney General Robert Kennedy arrived in Columbia to speak about the Kennedy administration’s concern about segregation and racial discrimination. While Kennedy praised South Carolina for the peaceful integration of Harvey Gantt into Clemson College he predicted that racial troubles will worsen “unless real progress is made”.

The Walker Local History Room is located on the third level of the Richland Library’s Main Library. Anne, Debbie and Margaret are available to guide your research during regular library hours.

For my summer vacation I traveled to upstate New York for R & R and a genealogy road-trip. This year I left all my papers, notebooks, pencils and pens at home and relied on my IPad as a research tool. It was awesome companion. I discovered that my iPad was all I needed. Here are my top ten reasons for using a tablet as a genealogy research tool.