Support Us Button Widget

The Great Banana Explosion from 1946 in Columbia, SC

Curb Market

Assembly Street’s curb market in 1934 | Photo by Russell Maxey provided by Richland Library’s Digital Archives

Last month, Reader Peter S. wrote in and gave us the scoop on the “Great Banana Explosion.” That name alone got our attention, so we began doing some research.

In 1946, Assembly Street looked a little different. Stretching about 10 blocks, Assembly Street’s curb market was Columbia’s agriculture hub for produce for over 80 years. On Thurs., Nov. 14, 1946, The State Newspaper reported there was a 100-ft wide explosion.

Curb Market

Assembly Street’s curb market in 1934 | Photo by Russell Maxey provided by Richland Library’s Digital Archives

To transport the bananas to the market, the fruit would usually ship green at 54º and ripen using ethylene gas in a banana-ripening chamber before being sold for consumption. Late, Fire Chief A. McC. Marsh reported the explosion occurred on the 900 block of Assembly Street likely due to the strike of a matchwhen lighting a cigarette that was in close contact with the combustible gas.

The explosion killed five, injured eight, and caused between $10,000-$15,000 in property damages (about $187,000 today’s dollars).

Assembly Street’s curb market was eventually moved to Bluff Road in the early 1950s and was coined the The Million Dollar Market” before it was taken over by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

The market currently sits as the SC State Farmers Market at 3483 Charleston Hwy. in West Columbia. For information on events or to see which produce is in season, visit the SC State Farmers Market’s Facebook page.

Have other pieces of history you want us to cover? Let us know here.

More from COLAtoday
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar opens Thursday, Feb. 13 in Columbia’s BullStreet District with Southern-inspired dishes, craft cocktails, and a grand opening celebration.
A’ja Wilson joins an elite club with her Nike A’One, a signature shoe designed to inspire the next generation.
If you recently retired and are looking for things to do, this guide will help you make the most of retirement in Columbia.
The City of Columbia shared a YouTube video featuring a timeline, images, and renderings of the Finlay Park revitalization project.
The New York Times put together a list of nine food trends for 2025 including sauces, coffee, and grab-and-go options. Here’s where you can get try some of these trends in Columbia.
Readers predict Columbia in 2101 will thrive with healthcare and manufacturing, a booming population, high-speed trains, and a pedestrian-friendly future.
Richland County is launching a 41,000-square-foot regional training center to support workforce development, economic growth, and major employers like Scout Motors.
Experience chef collaborations, wine-paired vinyl dinners, and a music and craft beer showcase April 22-27, Tuesday through Sunday, at Columbia Food & Wine Festival.
Columbia has seven sister cities worldwide, fostering cultural ties. Explore Cola’s connections to Accra, Ghana; Kaiserslautern, Germany; and Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
The annual Tiki Week at Bourbon is moving to The Dragon Room, blending tiki-inspired food and cocktails with Asian cuisine.