Homewood Suites Columbia

Advocacy Groups

by b1bob

Like all other state capitals, a wide range of advocacy groups strategically position their offices somewhere between the State House and Governor's Mansion. These groups advocate their cause and try to influence the state legislature and the governor to enact laws favourable to it. This featured advocacy group on mental health is located near the governor's mansion, really convenient to South Carolina's previous governor in need of their services. Everybody knows Mark "acemj" is dotty bonkers and this is his advocacy group. Maybe Mark will have better luck with the mental health facilities in South Carolina than he has had in North Carolina.

Great Latin American Food

by m1nkey about Mojito's Tropical Cafe

Great food Latin American style. The menu is varied and not the same as everywhere else. Plenty to chose from and all s freshly prepared. Deserts, sandwiches, plentiful entrees and salads. All home made and all uniquely flavored. Even the salad dressing are fresh made. If you are in Columbia near downtown then you must try Mojito's. Trust me I am very hard on restaurants and this place is wonderful.

Controversial flag

by acemj

The Confederate flag once flew over the State House dome and was a matter of much tension in the state. It was recently moved from the dome to the lawn in front of the State House; a move which hardly lessened the controversy.

Some people view it as a symbol of southern pride and culture, while those opposed to its presence find it offensive because of its association with racism and bigotry.

columbia, south carolina

by doug48

"columbia"

columbia is the county seat of richland county and the capital of the state of south carolina. columbia is located on the broad river in the center of the state. columbia was founded in 1786 and was incorporated as a city in 1854. prior to the civil war columbia was a important transportation hub. much of the cotton grown on south carolina plantations was shipped north by rail through columbia. in december 1860 the south carolina secession convention met at columbia's first baptist church. by a vote of 159 to 0 south carolina voted to seceed from the union. during the civil war columbia was a important manufacturing and transportation hub for the confederacy. in february 1865 the forces of union general william t. sherman burned down much of the city. during WWI camp jackson was established in columbia. during WWII camp jackson was expanded and renamed fort jackson. today fort jackson is still an important segment of columbia's economy.
for the tourist there is much to see and do in columbia. columbia has a number of historic buildings and homes in the downtown historic district. columbia is home to the south carolina symphony and has a very nice zoo and botanical garden. the downtown five points and vista areas have a number of good restaurants and lively bars. for college football fans columbia is home to the university of south carolina. columbia is a very worth while stop when traveling through south carolina.

in february 1865 union general william t. sherman's army during the carolina's campaign marched to columbia. columbia was defended by general wade hampton CSA but he was greatly out numbered by sherman's army and surrendered the city. once in the city sherman ordered the destruction of the rail road depot, warehouses, and machine shops. the old state capitol was burned as well as the interior of the new state capitol and "millwood" general wade hampton's mansion. downtown liquor stores were looted by union troops which led to drunken solders setting fire to downtown buildings and homes. some historians maintain that the fires were set by the retreating confederate troops but considering the burning of the interior of the new state house and wade hampton's home one can easly come to conclusion that the fires were set as union revenge. the burning of the cities of atlanta, marietta, and rome georgia, jackson mississippi, and the towns of athens, decatur, and selma alabama also show a union policy of burning towns after they were captured.