Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Historic Columbia Canal

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

1. Historic Columbia Canal Marker

Inscription. Completed originally in 1824 as a transportation canal, the Columbia Canal was reconstructed in the 1890's to provide water for hydroelectric generation, powering the first mill in the world to run completely on this type of power source. Today the canal serves as a source of hydroelectric power, the source of water for the Columbia Water Plant, and the site for the Columbia Riverfront Park.

Erected 1983 by City of Columbia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.

Location. 34° 0.23′ N, 81° 3.088′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of Gist Street and Blanding Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312 Laurel St, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western

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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: Howard School Site (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of the Irish Who Built the Canal (about 700 feet away); Irish Canal Workers (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Historic Columbia Canal (about 700 feet away); Riverfront Park (about 700 feet away); Waterworks (about 700 feet away); The Allie Scollon Puppetry Center (about 800 feet away); Hydroelectric Plant (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

2. Historic Columbia Canal Marker

Dedication plaque at the gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

3. Dedication plaque at the gate

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 27 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.