03.19.2024

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How to utilize Columbia’s Amtrak Station and our city’s railroad history

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Columbia’s Amtrak station | Photo provided by @julio3094

We know trains can cause headaches around town, but they don’t have to. If you want a spring getaway, but don’t want to get in the car, we might have another option: Columbia’s Amtrak Station.

Whether you’re traveling locally or out of state, take advantage of SC’s rail system. It’s an alternative way to get around, and Columbia’s Amtrak station is located at 850 Pulaski St. — just a couple of blocks away from Colonial Life Arena.

A quick history of local trains

Columbia’s current Amtrak station was built in 1991. The former Seaboard Air-Line Railway station, built of red brick in 1904, still stands in the Vista. It was abandoned and then restored and made into the Blue Marlin when the City of Columbia removed the rails and the Seaboard Air Line Railway trestle along Lincoln Street.

Exterior of Union Station, now California Dreaming — California Dreaming on S. Main St. of Columbia, formerly Union Station | Photo provided by California Dreaming

Fun fact: The 1904 station was actually the third passenger depot built in Columbia. Going back a little further — before California Dreaming was filled with the smells of honey-butter croissants, its building was a functioning railway station.

In 1899, the Southern Railroad + the Atlantic Coast Line agreed to construct a station on Columbia’s South Main Street. Union Station opened to the public in 1902.

Before that — 800 Gervais St., originally constructed around 1850 and currently serving as an event venue, was the South Carolina Railroad Depot. It was not only the inaugural passenger-freight rail hub in Columbia but also the first such facility outside of Charleston.

Train trips

Events

Tuesday, March 19

Sip and Plant Workshop: Front Porch Color Pot | Tuesday, March 19 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $45 | Add a little pop to your front porch with a beautiful plant and colorful pot to bring the spring cheer that you’ll build yourself.
Sew Divine: A Gathering of Crafters | Tuesday, March 19 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Richland Library Southeast, Southeast Social Meeting Lab 1, 7421Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia | Free | Bring your portable craft projects and share some fun with fellow crafters.
Buckets & Bowling | Tuesday, March 19 | 12-1 p.m. | The Grand on Main, 1621 Main St., Columbia, Columbia | $85 | Enjoy an hour of bowling, two buckets with your choice of a mixed cocktail, and a dip trio.

Wednesday, March 20

Celebrating Marian McPartland | Wednesday, March 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $18-$23 | Despite her passing a decade ago at the age of 95, Marian’s influence resonates.

Thursday, March 21

Roses & Rosé | Thursday, March 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $100 | Sip into spring with wines paired expertly with Art Blossoms arrangements and nibbles from F2T Productions.

Friday, March 22

Gamecock Baseball vs. Vanderbilt Commodores | Friday, March 22 | 7 p.m. | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $20-$25 | Vanderbilt brings a top ten squad to town to take on the Gamecocks to kick off conference play at home.

Saturday, March 23

Cherry Blossom Brunch at Boku | Saturday, March 23 | 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Boku Kitchen + Saloon, 916 Gervais St., Columbia | Price of purchase | Dine while a local DJ spins bright + fun music, and enjoy a dim sum menu.

Calendar events here

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Wellness

Not your grandpa’s hearing device

a hand holds a hearing aid between two fingers

Cutting-edge German technology allows users to control these hearing aids with the Horizon App using precision smartphone connectivity and Bluetooth. | Photo provided by hear.com

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Introducing the Horizon IX hearing aid by hear.com. It’s one of the world’s first dual processing hearing aids, which separates speech and background noise to deliver never-before-heard clarity.

Ready to join 385,000 people hearing better than ever? See if you qualify for a 45-day no-risk trial of the award-winning Horizon IX hearing devices below.

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News Notes

Award

Dawn Staley, head coach of South Carolina women’s basketball, clinched her fourth U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Coach of the Year award, making history with three consecutive wins. (Gamecocks Online)

Development

Lexington School District Two’s new Performing Arts Center in Springdale represents the culmination of a 10-year, $225 million capital improvement endeavor. Scheduled to open this spring, the state-of-the-art venue concludes the district’s project, which began with a bond referendum approved by voters in 2014.

Community

The SC State Museum will partner with Chef Amethyst Ganaway — a rising North Charleston chef — for a yearlong culinary series highlighting Black culinary traditions, immigrant contributions to the Upstate, and Pee Dee’s tobacco culture. The series starts on Saturday, May 18 with “Harvesting Heritage: A History of Black Culinary Traditions in the Palmetto State.” (The Post and Courier)

Open

518 Smokehouse, a new BBQ spot in Chapin (673 Chapin Rd.,) is a venture by the Middleton family. Led by executive chef Kevin Schwab, it offers a range of meats and seafood, with brunch on weekends and happy hour specials. Open daily, reservations are available on their website. (The Post and Courier)

Eat

The State’s 2024 Chicken Wings Bracket entered round two with eight contenders. This contest focuses on brick-and-mortar eateries and locally-owned spots or small chains. Voting for round two ends March 22, with round three starting March 25. Don’t forget to vote in our BBQ bracket — it’s down to the final two. (The State)

Listen

Dawn Staley + the South Carolina’s women’s basketball team appear to have a clear path to the NCAA Final Four. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Wellness

Tired of needing a second cup of coffee during the day (or just tired in general)? Here are five easy, brain-boosting snacks to get you through the midday slump. Did you know? This was part of our monthly COLA wellness newsletter. See the latest edition for food safety tips, recipes + more.*

History

Have you seen these brick domes in Cayce?

The history of Guignard Brick Works in Columbia, SC

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The four beehive kilns | Photo by @david_mcnamara

The four, 18 ft. tall, 35 ft. round, floor-to-ceiling brick domes — known as beehive kilns — are home to one of the oldest brick companies in the United States called Guignard Brick Works, dating back to the 1800s-1900s.

A quick brick timeline

Guignard Brick Works got its start in 1801 by a man named James Sanders Guignard I. James used clay deposits from the banks of the Congaree River to make bricks for personal use.

In 1850, the family began making + selling the bricks for commercial use after Guignard’s son, James Sanders Guignard II, took over the family business in 1856 — following his father’s death.

During the Civil War, brick production stopped and there was a gap in the family business until Gabriel Alexander Guignard — James Sanders Guignard I’s great-grandson — revived the business in the 1860s. It became wildly successful, and by 1891, “G.A. Guignard, Brick Manufacturer” was producing approximately 2 million bricks a year.

Click the button below to read more on how Guignard Brick Works boomed with the textile industry.

More brick business

The Buy

The Buy 3.19.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These men’s memory foam slippers, perfect for increasing comfort + easing foot pressure around the house. We love how they’re 95% cotton with a rubber outsole and machine washable.

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Today is the first day of spring — but WLTX shared that Cola may experience winter weather today. Plan to protect your plants, pets, and pipes because there’s a chance of freezing temperatures this morning. Temperatures will increase as the week continues.

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