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Remembering Richland Mall

  • Margaret D.
  • Saturday, March 16

Do you remember the original Richland Mall? Historic photographs and newspaper articles tell the story of the rise, and fall, of this once-popular shopping mall.

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Classic Holiday Recipes

  • Margaret D.
  • Thursday, December 21

Looking to serve the family a nostalgic meal during the holidays? Recipes for a classic dinner menu were selected from the Richland County Extension Homemakers Christmas 1988 cookbook.

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Richland Library Main

Aviator Lt. Harley H. Pope

  • Margaret D.
  • Wednesday, November 22

On April 5, 1919 the Camp Bragg Flying Field was renamed Pope Field in honor of Lt. Harley H. Pope. Photographs from Lt. Pope's scrapbook show rare views of life as an aviator during World War I. 

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Richland Library Main

The Origins of South Carolina Pride

  • Margaret D.
    Evelyn B.
  • Wednesday, October 18

Friday, October 20, is the 2023 Famously Hot Pride Parade. How did Pride celebrations in South Carolina begin and who played a role in the origins of the Gay and Lesbian Pride March?

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Richland Library Main

South Carolina Cartoonist Jak Smyrl

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, October 10

Jak Smyrl (1923–2007) delighted readers of The State newspaper with his illustrations for more than thirty-seven years.  His reputation was such that the South Carolina State Legislature passed a resolution honoring him in what turned out to be the last year of his life.

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Richland Library Main

A Look at Richland County's HBCUs

  • Leslie L.
  • Wednesday, September 20

Of the eight HBCUS found in South Carolina, two of these institutions can be found in Richland County: Allen University and Benedict College.

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Richland Library Main

Cuban Trainees at Fort Jackson

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, September 15

For Hispanic Heritage Month,take a look at a little-known chapter of history that unfolded in Columbia at Fort Jackson, where several thousand Cubans came to receive military training and United States citizenship.

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Richland Library Main

Hip-Hop Highlights from the Local History Collection

  • Leslie L.
  • Friday, August 18

Columbia, SC, has played host to some of hip-hop's most iconic figures. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, let's take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of the genre's defining moments in the city from Richland Library’s Local History Digital Collections.

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Richland Library Main

Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to Columbia

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, June 23

On October 28, 1938, First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt visited Columbia. Remarkably, we have photographs of this visit in the Walker Local and Family History Center at Richland Library.

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Richland Library Main

Local Woman Charity Adams Recognized

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, April 28

The United States Department of Defense recently recognized Columbia woman Charity E. Adams (1918 – 2002) for her groundbreaking role as the first African American woman to lead a military unit overseas during wartime.

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Richland Library Main

Remembering Dixie Super Market

  • Margaret D.
  • Tuesday, March 28

From 1937 to 1988 there was a unique supermarket at 1438 Assembly Street where folks from the surrounding neighborhoods could buy local meat and produce.

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Richland Library Main

Celebrating Martha Cramer

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, March 06

Almost lost to history, Mrs. Martha Cramer was instrumental in establishing Columbia’s first public library. We at Richland Library owe her a debt of gratitude for spearheading the creation of our current library system more than 125 years ago.

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Richland Library Main

Tribute to Drink Small

  • Margaret D.
  • Wednesday, February 22

Drink Small, a local musical treasure, recently turned 90 years old. Let’s reflect on Mr. Small’s career and legacy.

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Richland Library Main

History of Richland Library

  • Margaret D.
  • Wednesday, October 18

To mark the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Main Library at 1431 Assembly Street, I decided to take a look back at the Richland Libraries of years past.

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Richland Library Main

Holiday Lights on Main Street

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, December 12

From 1927 until the 1970s lights and Christmas decorations went up on Main Street to mark the holiday season.

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Richland Library Main

Preservation of Historic Cemeteries

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, October 21

Do you own or manage a historic family or church cemetery? These cemetery preservation and maintenance tips have been prepared by staff from the Walker Local & Family History Center at Richland Library.

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Richland Library Main

Just for the Record 🎶

  • Laura Bliss Morris
  • Thursday, August 31

A few weeks ago, I was casually chatting with my mother-in-law about some exciting new things happening at the library including the re-launch of our vinyl collection. Come to find out, she actually worked at the library during the early 1970s and was responsible for curating the library’s record collection. How cool is that? With October also being National Family History Month, I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity to pick her brain. 

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Richland Library Main

Columbia's Farmers Markets

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, July 15

Tomatoes, okra, squash, cucumbers, and watermelon. These are my favorite summer vegetables and they always taste best when I buy them at a local farmers market.

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Richland Library Main

View from the Jefferson Hotel

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, June 24

For over 50 years, the Jefferson Hotel stood elegantly on the corner of Main and Laurel Streets in downtown Columbia.

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Richland Library Main

History of the Syrian-Lebanon Society in Columbia

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, April 29

The history of the Syrian-Lebanon Society in Columbia tells the story of a group of immigrants who came to South Carolina seeking opportunity, and who eventually blended the cultures from their homeland to that in their new-found home.

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Richland Library Main

Signs of Segregation from Columbia's Past

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, February 21

Discover places in downtown Columbia that once held signs of segregation through these "then and now" images constructed from historic photographs in our archives.

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Richland Library Main

Black-Owned Newspapers in Columbia

  • Margaret D.
  • Tuesday, February 01

Over the years, there have been several newspapers published in Columbia covering news and events for Black readers. Let’s take a look at some of these titles and find out where you can access them.

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Richland Library Main

What Exactly Is DHEC?

  • Dusty R.
  • Friday, December 17

DHEC has been in the news a lot lately. Learn more about this crucial part of the South Carolina government.

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Richland Library Main

Remembering the Palmetto State Fair

  • Margaret D.
  • Thursday, October 14

Generations of Black Columbians attended the Palmetto State Fair, held each fall at the State fairgrounds in Columbia. Let’s look back at a brief history of this fair.

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Richland Library Main

South Carolina's Homes for Unwed Mothers

  • Margaret D.
  • Wednesday, September 15

In a time not so long ago, unwed girls and women who found themselves “in trouble” had few options. Women with an unplanned pregnancy would face the frightening prospects of raising their child without support, finding a family member to take in their child, obtaining a back-alley abortion, or, if they were lucky, disappearing to a home for unwed mothers to deliver their child in secrecy.

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Richland Library Main

Third Cousin Twice Removed?

  • Dusty R.
  • Monday, June 14

Do you need to refresh your memory on how exactly you and Cousin Sue are related before the next family reunion?

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Richland Library Main

Washington Street's Black Business District

  • Margaret D.
  • Tuesday, April 20

Two downtown blocks on Washington Street were once known as Columbia's Black Downtown. View historic photographs of the district from the Walker Local & Family History Center.

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Richland Library Sandhills

Five Trailblazing Women of Richland County

  • Brittany S.
    Alex B.
  • Tuesday, April 27

Let's look at five amazing women leaders who not only have made a positive impact all across Richland County, but have broken down barriers while they were at it. 

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Richland Library Main

The Story of the Big Apple Night Club

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, August 21

The Big Apple nightclub was once a swinging spot in downtown Columbia where the music could be heard for blocks around and the dancers took to the floor and started a national dance craze. Let’s take a look back at the exciting story of the Big Apple.

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in December 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Tuesday, January 05

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in December, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

Stories of Struggle: A Book Review

  • Morgan R.
  • Friday, November 06

Claudia Smith Brinson's Stories of Struggle: The Clash Over Civil Rights in South Carolina shines a light on some of South Carolina's most influential pioneers of social justice.

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in October 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, December 07

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in October, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in September 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Thursday, October 08

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in September, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

Voting in Columbia, a historical perspective

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, September 28

The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, granting the right to have a voice in our society. For anyone deprived of these rights, the struggle to secure them has been worth the fight. Explore some historic touchpoints that converge around the evolution of the right to vote in Columbia.

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Richland Library Main

The Census Through The Centuries

  • Dusty R.
  • Tuesday, September 29

Because of the “72 year rule,” the 2020 Census will not be available for genealogists until 2092. When it is released, will your descendants be able to find you in the 2020 Census?

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in August 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Tuesday, October 06

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in August, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in July 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Wednesday, September 02

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in July, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in June 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, August 03

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in June, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

A Shameful History

  • Margaret D.
  • Wednesday, June 03

As curator to Richland Library’s historic photograph collection, I have come face to face with evidence of South Carolina’s shameful history of police violence and unequal justice for African Americans.

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in May 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Thursday, July 02

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in May, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in April 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, June 01

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in April, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

Most Popular Historic Images in March 2020

  • Margaret D.
  • Tuesday, May 05

With over 7,000 images in the Local History Digital Collections it can be hard to find those hidden gems. Take a look at what your neighbors found interesting in March, 2020.

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Richland Library Main

Moments in Local Women’s History

  • Margaret D.
  • Thursday, February 27

Celebrate National Women’s History Month with a look back at events that shaped women’s roles in our community. Some moments moved us forward, others bring the glass ceiling into relief. In all we meet women who have made strides in expanding the role of women in our community.

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Richland Library Main

March 2, 1961 at the State House

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, February 10

New discoveries from the Local History collections illuminate a March 2, 1961 civil rights protest in Columbia that led to a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

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Richland Library Main

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Columbia

  • Margaret D.
  • Wednesday, January 15

The city of Columbia has felt the impact of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in countless ways. We are lucky to have some photographs of the great man in our local newspaper archive.

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Richland Library Main

Awkward Christmas Photos

  • Margaret D.
  • Thursday, December 19

From quirky to cute, Christmas photographs in the Local History Digital Collections can help put you in the holiday spirit. Here is a selection of some of the more unusual sights of Christmases past.

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Richland Library Main

Faces at the Carillon Parade

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, November 25

Columbia has hosted the Carillon Parade annually since 1953, both to usher in the holiday season and to showcase the area’s bands and talent. The library’s Local History Digital Collections allows us to see the evolution of the parade and to catch a glimpse of the smiling faces it inspired.

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Richland Library Main

Ghosts of Photographers Past

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, August 16

Working with photograph archives I often feel the “presence” of the photographers who created the collection. It is as if they are watching to make sure I get it right.

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Richland Library Main

Columbia during the Cold War

  • Margaret D.
  • Thursday, July 25

Historic images in the Local History collection illuminate Columbia during the Cold War era as marked by a mixture of fear that we might experience a nuclear disaster and optimism that we could survive one.

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Richland Library Main

A Look Back at the Assembly Street Post Office

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, May 10

Columbia City Council will purchase the U.S. Post Office building on Assembly Street. Let's take a look back at the history of this building with images from the Local History Digital Collections. 📷 

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Richland Library Main

Main Street at Mid-Century

  • Margaret D.
  • Friday, November 30

A historic photograph collection in Local History reveals a bustling Main Street in Columbia.

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NewsBank provides access to hundreds of newspapers from around the country and within South Carolina, including The State and The Post and Courier.

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