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”.

Would you like tips about healthier and more fulfilling lives? Then this is the show for you! Come see Richland Library staff members at the 2013 Savvy Seniors, where there will be cooking class demos, exercise classes, touring and excursion opportunities and much more.

La biblioteca de Southeast es una de las sucursales de la biblioteca de Richland, se complace en ofrecer gratis recursos que sirven para la superación personal y personal. Nuestra biblioteca va ofrecer una clase de computadora básica en español en la biblioteca de Southeast los días 10 y 17 de Mayo a las cuatro de la tarde. La biblioteca está localizada en el 7421 en Garners Ferry Rd. , Columbia, SC 29209.

This 1904 publication was illustrated and complied by W. S. Kline and published by the R. L. Bryan Company of Columbia, S.C. It provides a description of the city’s history, businesses and industry and includes several photographs of buildings and landmarks.

On June 23, 1926 the Jefferson Hotel hosted a grand Southern Bell Telephone Company affair honoring Columbia's original telephone subscribers. The 1880 subscribers were mostly deceased but family members, the governor and city officials were on hand to celebrate Columbia's telephone subscriber pioneers.  Listed in the first telephone book were eleven city residences, including the governor's mansion.  Lorick and Lowrance were among the first businesses to dial up, as well as attorney F.W. McMaster, cotton buyer P.H. Haltiwanger and ice dealer C.C. Habenicht.  The State Lunatic Asylum also had a telephone but only in the female building.  It is not clear if that is an indication of a woman's capacity to talk or if that was just a convenient location. In all 63 businesses, government entities and homes were listed in Columbia's first telephone directory.