Olympia-Granby near Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Olympia Cemetery
Photographed by Nancy Stone-Collum, August 24, 2019
1. Olympia Cemetery Marker
The Olympia Cemetery was established c. 1904 and served the families of mill workers from Capital City, Richland, Granby, and Olympia Mills. The land was set side by W.B. Smith Whaley & Co. When a death occurred the company would provide a burial plot. In 1944, Pacific Mills, which had purchased the Whaley Mills in 1915, deeded ownership to the Olympia Cemetery Association.
The Association drew its members from the eight Olympia community churches. The oldest portion of the cemetery is the SW section, with more recent burials proceeding to the NE. Oral tradition holds that when a child in the community died, mill workers would build a wooden coffin, line it with material from the company store, and carry it to the gravesite. It is believed that, in addition to the many gravesites marked by headstones, there are also many unmarked burials in Olympia Cemetery.
Erected 2017 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by The Olympia Cemetery Association. (Marker Number 40-199.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Outhouse (approx. half a mile away); Mill Village Yard (approx. half a mile away); Original Mill Village Outhouse (approx. half a mile away); Vintage Tool and Toy Collection (approx. half a mile away); Clothes Washing Station (approx. half a mile away); Quarry - 'Rock Hole' (approx. half a mile away); Mill Village Design (approx. 0.6 miles away); Olympia Mill School/Museum House (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Fridays Ferry (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Nancy Stone-Collum, August 24, 2019
2. Olympia Cemetery Marker side 2
Photographed by Nancy Stone-Collum, August 24, 2019
3. Olympia Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by Nancy Stone-Collum of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,377 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Nancy Stone-Collum of Columbia, South Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
