Columbia

The South Carolina state capital was moved from Charleston to Columbia in 1790. The move was intended to create a more geographically central location for the state’s government. 

  • South Carolina Capital Building
  • Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park

South Carolina Capital Building – Construction of the present-day State House was started in 1855, halted in 1865 due to Civil War and completed in 1903 when the dome was added. The building was renovated between 1995-1998. We visited the building in December of 2021. The inside and outside of the building is beautiful. It is also nice to walk around the well maintained ground outside the building.

South Carolina Capital Building – Facade. The portico columns are carved from a single piece of stone and believed to be the largest monolithic columns in public buildings in USA
South Carolina Capital Building – Dome interior as viewed from the rotunda
South Carolina Capital Building – Mosaic glass depicting the seal of South Carolina, dating back from 1800. It is made of more than 37,000 pieces of glass and is original to the building.
South Carolina Capital Building – The chandelier in the joint legislative conference room weighs over 1000 pounds and is the only original chandelier in the building.
South Carolina Capital Building – The house of Representative room – The large desk in the center of the chamber is British Honduran mahogany and dates back to 1937.
South Carolina Capital Building – The basement of the building with floors of pink Tennessee and white Georgia marbles.
South Carolina Capital Building – The ornate main lobby of the capital building which also is the rotunda is adorned with paintings, plaques, and statues that reflect the states history

Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park – This park runs along the Saluda River and the Columbia Canal. It has miles of paved paths that attract bikers, joggers, and walkers.

Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park
Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park

South Carolina