[The_sandlapper]

Wow RT how long has it been since you have been to Cola . What you saw is the humble beginnigs of the "Vista". This was once Columbia's old warehouse distrcit that recieved an article in national geographic for its blythe. About 12 years ago this area began rennovating itself and it is now starting to catch fire! Those restaraunts, and shops at one time was the Columbia train station. I remember leaving there for a track meet at U of FL. back in 88". I was twelve then. Anyway this area is literally exploding with growth! Everything from Canalside, Greenway Park System, to Innovista, along with other developments going up in West Columbia (known as wither New Brookland, or Vista West).

Here's some info.

The Congaree Vista

Columbia Development Corp.

Vista from The State

This post has been edited by The_sandlapper: 15 January 2006 - 04:41 PM

[The_sandlapper]

Is this what you were refering to as far as the renovated train stations?

[waccamatt]

One of the renovated train stations is the old Amtrak station. The new one is oon Pulaski Street in the Vista. The other old train station was a freight depot. The other converted train station is where California Dreaming is - the old old train (Union) station from the late 1800's early 1900's, when rail travel was king. Columbia has been a major rail center for 150 years.

[waccamatt]

I remembered I found this great link about Columbia's railroad stations.

Columbia Railroad Stations

[krazeeboi]

I know one of the old railroad stations is now the Blue Marlin restaurant.

I really do have a new appreciation for the Vista. The old and the new complement each other so beautifully within the district. The newer structures, such as the Hampton Inn and EdVenture, really blend in well with the more historic structures within proximity.

Columbia was certainly a railroad hub back in the day, linking the city to Augusta (which was a major textile center), the Upstate, Charlotte, and Charleston. As a matter of fact, Finlay Park back in the day (then known as Seaboard Park) was used as a rail station. The park may look new, but it actually goes back to the mid-1800's; what we see now is basically a reincarnation of the park. Check out any old maps of Columbia and it will be there.

This post has been edited by krazeeboi: 16 January 2006 - 09:18 AM

[waccamatt]

Sidney Park (now Finlay) is the crescent-shaped green area in this 1872 birds-eye view of Columbia. And you guys thought I just had skyline pictures...

This post has been edited by waccamatt: 16 January 2006 - 02:12 PM

[ROBTEX]

I LOVE that poster shot!! I have one framed on the wall in my home! If any one is interested, these posters are always for sale on ebay!

[waccamatt]

It is pretty amazing how small an area Columbia covered then. Imagine if we cover as much ground in the next 130 years.

[The_sandlapper]

I like the way old Columbia looked. You can see the Capitol, and the USC horseshoe.

[Spartan]

There is a sharper version of that out on the internet somewhere. Its really cool to look at. I think there is a similar one for Charleston.

[CorgiMatt]

WIS News is reporting that crime in the city of Columbia was down in all categories, including murder, in 2005. It was the biggest decrease in crime in the Capital City in 10 years. They have a chart that does show an increase in one category - car thefts I think, so I'm not sure why they're news story says all categories. But all violent crime was down.

[waccamatt]

CorgiMatt, on Jan 17 2006, 03:47 PM, said:

WIS News is reporting that crime in the city of Columbia was down in all categories, including murder, in 2005. It was the biggest decrease in crime in the Capital City in 10 years. They have a chart that does show an increase in one category - car thefts I think, so I'm not sure why they're news story says all categories. But all violent crime was down.

Now that is good news.

[Foxtrot22]

Spartan, on Jan 16 2006, 09:51 PM, said:

There is a sharper version of that out on the internet somewhere. Its really cool to look at. I think there is a similar one for Charleston.

Yes, it really does look nice. (I like seeing what use to be in an around our old neighborhoods)
which helps explain why so many columbians are always digging in my neighborhood..
at least over the past 4 decades or more...

I would like to find the history of a piece of land downtown (..like what factory/plant was
there in the 1800's ..and what was later eracted..and so on..)

[emerging.me]

Hey fellas... I was downtown today... it was really nice (but windy)... took some pics... I'm down at Jammin' Java now uploading them. The condos next door are really coming along.

Most of the images are self-explanatory. Some are kinda random, so if ya have any Qs about what something is just ask.

Downtown Columbia Pics -- Jan. 18, 2006

[krazeeboi]

Awesome pics, EM! This picture really shows how much of a difference Meridian has made in the skyline view from Finlay Park and how First Citizens is trying to get in the shot. It also gives good representation of downtown density:



This one captures a portion of Columbia's variety within its skyline (it includes the statehouse's dome):



We're just going to need you to get used to the year being 2006, not 2005.

[emerging.me]

I am mostly kidding... but has it occurred to anyone else that Columbia may make a future appearance on "Most Haunted Communities" -- one of those documentary-style shows they air on like TLC or Discovery? Haha. ... Our new premiere downtown neighborhoods -- Bull Street and CanalSide -- will be built on the former sites of the state's "Asylum" and "Death Row."

[CorgiMatt]

emerging.me, on Jan 19 2006, 12:59 PM, said:

I am mostly kidding... but has it occurred to anyone else that Columbia may make a future appearance on "Most Haunted Communities" -- one of those documentary-style shows they air on like TLC or Discovery? Haha. ... Our new premiere downtown neighborhoods -- Bull Street and CanalSide -- will be built on the former sites of the state's "Asylum" and "Death Row."

I can see it.

[ROBTEX]

GREAT shots!! Man, that REALLY makes me miss walking around Finlay & other downtown areas taking photos... I really appreciate seeing these, so thank you so much!!!

I'll have to see if I can dig up some old photos I took from Finlay @10 years ago...I think I have one shot almost identical to one of yours...only it's pre-Washington Mutual (whatever it is now), Meridien, and FC!! A "side-by-side" would be fun to see!

[The_sandlapper]

Great shots! Nice to see the density added to the skyline! can't wait for the tower to go up on south main!

[ROBTEX]

I took these on a hazy, sizzling, 100-degree day in July 1993...the crepe myrtles were the only flowers in bloom, of course! Sorry the images are kinda small...just did a quick scan of some old 35mm shots!! My 2nd shot is closer to EM's for comparison. Nice change in density from Sidney/Finlay, for sure!!