In 1790, when the seat of South Carolina’s government
was moved from the lowcountry port of Charleston to the
“backwoods” of the state’s midlands, the city of Columbia,
on the banks of the Congaree River, was born. Its graceful
wide thoroughfares and striking edifices defined the new
community until one night in 1865, when Sherman’s Union
troops set the town ablaze and destroyed a 36-block area.
Columbia rose from the ashes and today stands proudly as
the center of state government and a diverse and much-loved
city of culture, arts, education, and commerce.
Award-winning writer and historian Lynn Sims Salsi is
the author of several books and articles on aspects of the
Palmetto State’s history. Born and raised in the capital city,
she demonstrates her love for Columbia and her pride in
its citizens through the engaging stories and illustrations
collected in this new work. First-hand accounts of life in
Columbia and images collected over the years by lifelong
resident Margaret Sims provide another unique perspective
on the history of this fascinating city.