Olympia-Granby in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Trolley

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

1. Trolley Marker

Inscription.
From the 1890s through the 1930s there was a city-wide electric trolley. It was powered by energy produced at Olympia Mill by 1903. It ran down the center of Olympia Avenue, right past the museum, and all the way to where the main gate of the state fairgrounds is today.

Mr. R. L. Henry was one of the conductors in later years. A mill worker could take this trolley into Columbia for shopping or entertainment, but they still supported their local neighborhood businesses in Olympia.
-As remembered by Henry children Johnny and Bonny Henry

Below is an original streetcar rail from the Olympia mill village.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 33° 58.728′ N, 81° 1.683′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Olympia-Granby. It is at the intersection of Virginia Street and Olumpia Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Virginia Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1168 Olympia Ave, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 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: Original Trolley Bell (here, next to this marker); Olympia Mill School / Olympia Granby Historical Foundation (here, next to this marker); Olympia Mill School/Museum House (here, next to this marker); Mill Village Design (a few steps from this marker); Mill Village Businesses (a few steps from this marker); Military Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Jaco's Corner (a few steps from this marker); Quarry - 'Rock Hole' (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

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

2. Trolley Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 31 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.