Books on South Carolina History
Selected books covering the history of Columbia and South Carolina.
South Carolina: A History by Request through Find It @ UofSC Libraries
The Palmetto State: The Making of Modern South Carolina by Ebook available online
South Carolina in the Modern Age by Ebook available online
Columbia, South Carolina: A History by Request through Find It @ USC Libraries
Columbia and Richland County: A South Carolina community, 1740-1990 by Request through Find It @ USC Libraries
Online Primary Sources
Find newspaper articles, photographs, primary documents and more related to South Carolina History.
- State Newspaper (1891-present) This link opens in a new windowKeyword-searchable, online access to the entire historical archive of Columbia's newspaper from 1891 up to today's issue.
- Historical Newspapers of South Carolina This link opens in a new windowFree online access to historical local and regional newspapers originating throughout South Carolina in the 19th and 20th centuries. Includes content from the African-American newspapers Lighthouse and Informer and The Palmetto Leader not found in Chronicling America.
- Accessible Archives This link opens in a new windowIncludes colonial and revolutionary-era South Carolina newspapers (1732-1780).
- Richland Library Local History Digital CollectionsThe collections found here include photographs, pamphlets, books, maps, and other historical materials from the Civil War to the present day.
- University of South Carolina Digital CollectionsIncludes digitized materials from the collections at South Caroliniana, SC Political Collections, and Government Info
- South Carolina Digital Library (SCDL)Combines collections from libraries, archives, museums, and cultural heritage institutions across the state to promote South Carolina’s cultural and historical resources.
Unique Collections at South Caroliniana Library
Contact South Caroliniana at sclref@mailbox.sc.edu to set up an appointment to use these materials.
- SC County Vertical FilesCollections are organized by county and cover sites associated with events in SC history starting from the Colonial era
- "Palmetto Landmarks" transcriptsScripts for a weekly WIS Radio program about people and places in SC history
- Scrapbook of the Richland County Bicentennial Committee, 1974-1981Includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, minutes, agendas, and various printed pamphlets, programs, and booklets.
Published Photograph Collections
Find more like these by using pictorial works as one of your keyword search terms.
Columbia, South Carolina by Author and local photographer Vennie Deas-Moore has compiled a wonderful selection of historical images celebrating the black experience in Columbia.
A True Likeness: The Black South of Richard Samuel Roberts, 1920-1936Rediscovered photos and portraiture of the Southern black community in Columbia, South Carolina, from the 1920's & 30's, taken by self-taught photographer Richard Samuel Roberts.
Unforgettable: 1950-1970: Celebrating a Time of Life Hope Bravery by An extraordinary collection of images and stories celebrating 50 years of South Carolina African American history, heritage, and culture.
Remembering Columbia by Merges images with accounts of people, sites, and events pulled from historical newspapers, diaries, and ephemera.
Contact Information for Local Experts
- South Caroliniana LibraryAppointments are required. Email sclref@mailbox.sc.edu to schedule your visit and request materials.
- Richland Library Walker Local and Family History CenterCall 803-929-3402 or email Margaret Dunlap at mdunlap@richlandlibrary.com
- SC Department of Archives and HistoryCall 803-896-6104 and visit 8301 Parklane Rd, Columbia, SC 29223.