| Page Views: 3,949 Last Visit to Columbia: March, 2004 | b1bob's non-PC Columbia adventures by b1bob - last update: May 24, 2004 |
| Palmettos: South Carolina's state tree |
Soon after the Revolutionary War, the South Carolina legislature decided to move the capital in a more central location in the state, halfway between the coast and the up country. They wanted also to symbolise the new beginning by moving away from an aristocratic city named for British royalty to one named for the discoverer of America. In February, 1865, General Sherman's troops burnt the majority of Columbia except the State House, built on high ground above the Congaree River. The biggest industries in the city are state government, the university and the military (Fort Jackson is just east of the city). The most prominent private employers are insurance and banking.
I got a favourable impression of Columbia literally straightaway on emerging from the car. A gentleman walking down the street made a point to greet this total stranger on his first trip ever to Columbia. The image carried throughout the day carried as locals bent over backwards to be nice to Mark and me. Wait staff in restaurants and bars are paid to be courteous, but the ones we ran across went above the normal requirements of duty.
Mark and I went on 27 March 2004, a perfectly sunny and abnormally warm day for that time of year. We toured the State House grounds, downtown, the university campus, and Finlay Park for Children's Day which included all kinds of entertainment for the young'uns and a fun fair. |
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| Pros: | "The locals bend over backwards to be nice to strangers." | | Cons: | "The uptown area is the epitome of unmet potential." | | In A Nutshell: | "A little more effort and Columbia would be an even greater tourist magnet." |
b1bob's Columbia Travel Tips
 Comments for b1bob about Columbia | | | | |
Faiza-Ifrah Wed Oct 31, 2007 03:20 UTC
xclent tips, pics and writing style on this city that i would like to visit one day thanks to congaree national park in which we have interest. | lmkluque Fri Nov 3, 2006 17:00 UTC
I remember how conservative South Carolina was too! Nat, I think you just like writing the word, "Gamecocks!" Looks like you and Mark had a good time and I enjoyed your comments! | eslim_81 Sun Jun 18, 2006 18:48 UTC
Informative and great descriptions like always... The things impressed me is the friendly people you described....:) | easyoar Sun Apr 2, 2006 22:42 UTC
You'd need a mighty big dog to do justice to that hydrant! |
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