Columbia sits on hills overlooking the Congaree, Saluda and Broad
Rivers. The name evokes sanctuary and the American spirit. Its central
location in the state makes it the meeting place of the Upstate and the
Lowcountry. The all-American city sprang from wilderness, frame
buildings and unpaved streets and valiantly responded to the challenges
of change. The city was created by the legislature to be the capital and
reflects the ambitions and fortunes of South Carolina. Columbia is a
diverse city that serves as an educational incubator, a magnet for
immigrants, a military center and a place to celebrate the arts. Follow
author Alexia Jones Helsley as she weaves together the strands of
Columbia's long and eventful past.