Columbia is the capital of South Carolina and serves as the seat for Richland county. The city is located in central South Carolina, in the midlands region. Columbia is centrally located between the mountainous regions of the Upstate and the coastal regions of South Carolina.
The city of Columbia dates back to 1786 when government officials ordered the state to develop a new capital, to replace the current capital, Charleston. This decision was made to resolve conflicts between the plantation owners in the midlands and the low country. Columbia, South Carolina was a huge leader and supporter of the American Civil War and was the first state to succeed from the union in December of 1860. This secession aided in the rebellion of other southern states, creating the alliance called, The Confederate States of America. During the war, many affluent leaders would meet in Columbia to discuss war strategies and other relevant matters. Columbia surrendered to the Union on February 17, 1865, resulting in the liberation of thousands of emancipated slaves, and war prisoners. The overwhelming amount of people in the city lead to The Burning of Columbia, a massive fire that engulfed much of the inner city. Today, the fires are still very controversial because some believe the fires were accidental, while others believe the fires were an act of vengeance from the Union soldiers. The fires destroyed the old South Carolina State House and the interior of the new State House, in addition to all military assets, railroad stations and depots, the Arsenal Academy, and many other prominent buildings throughout Columbia.
After the Civil War, Columbia began to rebuild and develop a new economy that was primarily based on government, manufacturing, and agriculture. The most important crops consisted of peaches, tobacco, and cotton. Today, Columbia still manufactures synthetic fibers and textiles, in addition to industrial equipment.
Columbia is the home of the University of South Carolina (USC), which was chartered in 1801. During the antebellum period, USC was one of the most affluent and influential universities in the south with alumni including Thomas Cooper, and Francis Lieber. However, during the civil war, the university was forced to close, and once reopened after the war, it struggled to regain the influential power it once had. The university continued to rebuild and update the curriculum throughout the remaining portion of the century into the mid-1900s. By 1950, the University of South Carolina was booming, bringing in students from all over the world. USC has continued to grow and is now one of the most affluent universities in the south. The city is also home to a handful of other higher education institutions, including, Columbia College, Columbia International University, Benedict College, Midlands Technical College, and many others.
In Columbia, if you experience water damage Columbia, fire damage Columbia, or need mold removal Columbia, you will want to act as quickly as possible to remediate the damages. If the damages are left untreated, they can lead to even worse secondary damages, that can completely destroy your property. Pulliam Restoration is your local, Columbia water damage restoration company. We provide emergency services to all of Columbia and surrounding areas, guaranteeing a 1-hour response time, 24/7. If you have experienced recently water damages, fire damages, or even mold, call Pulliam Restoration today and we will send an expert to evaluate the damages and begin the restoration process.