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Historic conversations roundup for Columbia, SC

“If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going.” — Maya Angelou

History round up image

Photos from some of Columbia’s historic moments.

Photos from Richland Library’s photo archives and COLAtoday team.

Before we look forward to 2023, let’s take a look back at 2022actually, let’s take it a step further than just 2022. We’re rounding up several history pieces we wrote this year and sharing tales from Columbia’s past.

The history of COLAtoday | Why not start with our own history? COLAtoday was born on April 3, 2017well, the newsletter anyways. For those of you who’ve been following along since 2017, thank you. For all others, allow us to (re)introduce ourselves with this story.

History of Columbia’s oldest restaurant, Villa Tronco | Villa Tronco is arguably the oldest restaurant in Columbia and this is the story of how “Mama Tronco'' introduced pizza to Columbia when she helped feed Northern soldiers in WWII who were stationed at Fort Jackson.

The Great Banana Explosion from 1946 | Stretching about 10 blocks, Assembly Street’s curb market was Columbia’s agriculture hub for produce for over 80 years. On Thursday, Nov. 14, 1946, The State Newspaper reported there was a 100-ft wide explosion that had a lot to do with a banana-ripening chamber + a cigarette.

Brutalism - Cola’s most popular architectural style | Between the early 1950s and 1970s, Columbia went through a rebirth of construction and modern architecture that defines the landscape of our city today.

A quick history of Columbia’s Arcade Mall | Originally built-in 1912, the Arcade Mall has changed several times over the last century. After undergoing a renovation in 2016, it began welcoming several new businesses. Take a closer look at the history of the Arcade Mall and the businesses that make it a modern-day bustling lunchtime spot.

Celebrating 42 years of Cocky | Can you believe there was a time in history when Soda Citizens didn’t like Cocky? Read through the full history of our hero — I mean USC’s mascot — via a timeline that begins in 1971.

Want more? Scroll through the entire “History” section on our website.

More from COLAtoday
“Those Lavender Whales & Friends & Family: A Community Concert Film” premieres at the Nickelodeon Theater to honor Aaron Graves’ life and legacy, featuring performances by surviving band members, friends, and family from a June 2023 tribute concert.
We’re giving you the 411 on the Cola’s landmarks — from the Gervais Street Bridge to Adluh Flour. Learn about their history, fun facts, and just why Soda Citizens and visitors alike find them so iconic.
Get ready for more espresso, teas, and baked goods, Soda Citizens. Construction on the Lazy Daisy Coffee Co. coffee shop is supposed to start in the fall and open in early 2025. Check out a handful of recently-opened restaurants in Forest Acres.
You can’t spell friend without fried — This year’s SC State Fair will take place Wednesday, Oct. 9, and run through Sunday, Oct. 20.
The MAD Festival in Kershaw County is a five-day festival celebrating music, art, drama, and dance.
Looking for things to do, but keep running across the same old stuff? Check out these local-approved (not-so) hidden gems.
Since the historic flooding in 2015, the Columbia Canal has needed repairs. The City of Columbia + Columbia Water held a briefing to share how the restoration will be done by December 2027.
For three days, Segra Park will transform into a donation drop-off site to garner supplies for the Asheville and Augusta communities.
Enjoy local meals and deals through Restaurant Week, happening around Columbia from Thursday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 13.
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 10 farmers markets around Columbia, SC.