Historical Images of Columbia’s Rivers, Canals and Bridges
The Walker Local and Family History Center at Richland Library Main has an excellent Digital Collection of historical documents and images. If you are interested in seeing more images, primarily photographs and postcards, of Columbia’s rivers, canals and bridges, use search terms like River, Canal, Bridge, "Congaree River", "Broad River" and "Saluda" to search our Digital Collections.
Print resources that include information about the history of Columbia’s waterways include the following:
Scenes from Columbia's Riverbanks: A History of the Waterways, by Vennie Deas-Moore (2008) – ACCESS Code HISTORY SC Moo or LH NATURE Rivers Moo
“Follow the winding ways of the Congaree, the Broad and the Saluda through history, and learn how three splendid and historic waterways shaped the industries and communities of Columbia.
The history of Columbia dates to 1786, when the South Carolina General Assembly moved the seat of government from Charleston to a plateau overlooking the Congaree River at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda. These three rivers helped transport people and goods, power textile mills, generate energy and support a growing community. Now, former industrial sites are giving way to recreational areas, and the heritage and natural beauty of the rivers emerge afresh. Author and photographer Vennie Deas-Moore captures both the beauty and the history of these waterways in this lovely volume.”
Carolina Riverboats and Rivers: The Old Days, by Earl White (2002) – ACCESS Code TRANSPORT Water Whi
“Carolina Riverboats and Rivers is a unique book, as important to local history buffs as it is the nation, capturing the spirit of river transportation with hundreds of rare photographs, newspaper clippings, and even firsthand accounts from the men who plied the rivers in the Carolinas. Earl White masterfully brings together a vast wealth of research in the way that only an author who truly loves his subject can.”