A National Register Property – The Rock Hill Herald reported on March 24, 1881 – “The people of Columbia including some of the major businessman are seeking to purchase the franchise for the Columbia Canal which had been granted by the legislature to Thompson and Neagle. They are seeking to raise $105,000. and will seek subscriptions across the state. They hope to improve this fine water power for use by the city.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on April 20, 1882 – “Work on the Columbia Canal was begun last Friday with labor of 60 convicts. The event was celebrated by an artillery salute and other demonstrations inspired by the magnitude of the enterprise. It is predicted that cotton factors will be in operation there within the next year.”
On Sept. 29, 1886 the Yorkville Enquirer reported – “The damage done to the Congaree Canal by the recent floods has now been repaired and Supt. Anderson is at work with his force to continue with construction.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 19, 1887 – “All work on the extension of the Columbia Canal has been stopped.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Feb. 17, 1887 – “Robert Jones, a convict from Richland County was killed last week while working on the Columbia Canal when an embankment caved in. He was serving a term for burglary and larceny. This is the second fatal accident on the canal in the past six months.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on July 12, 1888 – “The contract to finish the work on the Columbia canal was awarded to James D. Hardin, of Sumter for a bid of $69,440.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on May 21, 1890 – “Columbia is looking at utilizing her canal, which is almost finished, it will require about $30,000., in addition to the $200,000., derived from the sale of bonds to complete the work.”
City Directories and History: The Columbia Canal has played an important role in the commercial and industrial development of Columbia. Historically significant for its influence on the city’s growth, the Columbia Canal is also a notable example of the engineering expertise of the nineteenth century. Completed in 1824, the canal was designed to enable the navigation of the Broad and Congaree Rivers at their confluence in Columbia. It was part of the state-sponsored system of internal improvements designed to create inexpensive and efficient transportation facilities across South Carolina. Although its importance as a means of transportation significantly decreased after the arrival of the
railroad in Columbia in 1842, the canal continued to be used for local commerce and provided water power for small industries. The Columbia Canal was the only canal project in the state that remained in use after the advent of the railroad. During the Civil War a portion of the canal was leased to the Confederate government. After the War, the canal passed through several owners before reverting to the state. In 1888, as part of the post-Civil War movement to industrialize the South, the State of South Carolina decided to enlarge the canal as a means of providing a power source to aid in the industrial development of Columbia. The enlarged canal was completed in 1891. The canal subsequently served as an impetus to the establishment of mills and factories
in Columbia, thereby playing an important role in the growth of the city.
The Yorkville Enquirer of Nov. 11, 1891 reported – “It is announced that the Columbia Canal has at last been completed, and the water will be turned on for the first time next Monday.” (This refers to the completion of the hydro plant in 1891.)
The YV Enquirer reported on Jan. 27, 1892 – “A major flood last week on the Congaree River did considerable damage to the canal.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on April 19, 1893 – “Ground has been broken in Columbia for erection of the Aretas Blood Mill on the banks of the Columbia Canal. It represents an investment of $600K (?), by the Columbia Mills Company. The main building will be 400 by 135 feet.”
In addition, the Columbia Canal was the site of one of the first power houses in the nation to utilize hydroelectric power to drive a large textile mill. Since its completion in 1891 the Columbia Canal has continuously served as a major power source for the city of Columbia. Listed in the National Register January 15, 1979. [Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History]
Columbia grew steadily into a major center for transportation anti trade. By 1876 no fewer than ten roads fanned out to all regions of the state, and the 1820-30 decade saw the development of the Columbia Canal as a means to navigate around the rapids of the Broad River where it joins the Saluda River to form the Congaree. In 1891 the northern section of the Canal was enlarged to extend further down the Broad in order to serve as a power source for the industrial development of Columbia. In 1977 the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, in conjunction with the City of Columbia, sponsored a study of the historical, cultural, and recreational resources of the Columbia Canal. Out of this study grew the nomination to the National Register of this notable 19th century engineering accomplishment as well as the riverfront development plan, of which the Columbia Canal is the present nucleus area.
(Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC)
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