Hello Thursday.
April 25 2024
When you hear Swamp Rabbit, you probably immediately think of Greenville. But, DYK that there is a connection to the cottontail creature right outside of Columbia?
If you’ve driven on US-1, all the way out to Batesburg-Leesville, you’ve probably passed the location that was once home of the “Swamp Rabbit” Bridge. This spot is packed with history + we’re going to dive a little deeper into how it got its start.
Historical marker for the site of the “Swamp Rabbit” Bridge in Batesburg-Leesville | Photo by COLAtoday Team
From the late 19th to the early 20th century the train the Sievern and Knoxville Railroad operated became locally known as the Swamp Rabbit.
The Swamp Rabbit, which ran the 17.5 miles from Batesburg to Sievern, connected the small South Carolina town to the Southern Railway until 1933.
The local train was an essential asset to the economy for 35+ years. It shipped lumber, turpentine, produce + the lucrative kaolin — a soft, white clay that was superior for porcelain and papermaking. The train rarely transported people.
In the 1920s, US Route 1 (aka Highway 1) expanded to the area. To accommodate the railway, the “Swamp Rabbit” Bridge was constructed to cross the railroad tracks and a small creek.
The 111-foot bridge was built in 1928-29 by Cohen Dick Fulmer for approx. $13,000, which would cost about $206,000 today. The highway bridge was known for its graceful arches + stretched the length of the Sievern & Knoxville Railroad.
Cohen was a contractor known for building many bridges for the South Carolina Highway Department from the 1920s until World War II. Today, he is buried in Leesville Cemetery.
The Sievern and Knoxville Railway was said to have failed in the 1930s, and with that came the abandonment of the Swamp Rabbit locally. If you want more Swamp Rabbit today, hop on up to GVL and learn about their Swamp Rabbit connection.
Use the buttons below to share this newsletter with your friends + plan your next trip out to the BL.
What historical marker should we dive into next?
History can be fun too. Let us know what topic is most interesting to you.
- Big Apple
- Curtiss-Wright Hangar
- R.L. Bryan Co. Warehouse
- Early Columbia Racetrack
Dish
- 2 Fat 2 Fly | Thurs., July 15 | 4-9 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing | Price of purchase | For 1 night only, the local stuffed wing food truck will be taking over the kitchen. 🍗
Active
- Riverwalk Hike | Thurs., July 15 | 4:30 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works | Free | Join the mayors of Cayce + West Columbia for a riverwalk hike that will end at Savage Craft.
- Beer Yoga on the Patio | Thurs., July 15 | 7-8 p.m. | The Grand | $25 | Tickets include 1 hour of yoga + 2 beers.
ForKids
- Storytime in the Garden | Thurs., July 15 | 10-10:45 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens | Free | Enjoy stories, songs + activities that are perfect for all ages. 📚
Outdoors
Show
- Wolfman String Band | Thurs., July 15 | 7-10 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works | Free | Enjoy bluegrass music on the rooftop. 🎶
- Tiny Alley Concert: Opus & the Frequencies | Thurs., July 15 | 6-7 p.m. | City Market, 705 Gervais St. | Free | Check out the new outdoor concert series that will take place every third Thursday of the month.
Whatever you think term life insurance costs — it’s probably less.
Haven Life Insurance Agency offers an easy way to buy affordable term life insurance coverage online. A 35-year old female in excellent health can purchase a $500,000, 20-year Haven Term policy for as low as $18/mo. That’s peace of mind for the price of a large cheese pizza.
Visit Haven Life and discover how simple getting life insurance actually is. Some disclosures and limitations apply — see site for full details. Ⓟ
Weather
- 91º | Scattered thunderstorms | 30% chance of rain
Development
- Construction is underway for a new 17-story student housing tower on the corner of Assembly and Washington streets. The Standard will be completed by fall 2023. It will have 247 fully furnished units and amenities, including a rooftop pool + fitness center. 🏢 (SC Biz News)
Closing
- Indah Coffee is closing the Main Street location permanently after Sat., July 17. local coffee shop will continue to serve the caffeinated community from the Cottontown location at 2238 Sumter St. ☕
Biz
- A proposal is currently under review for a new Chick-fil-A in Red Bank. Its location in the shopping center with the Publix at Lake Crossing would make it the first in this area of Lexington.🍴 (The Post and Courier)
ComingSoon
- Two new housing developments have been approved in Columbia. Colonel’s Creek, an 80-acre single-family home development, will be located on Percival Road. Haven at Congaree Pointe, a 55+, 4-story building, will be developed off Atlas Road. 🏠 (The Post and Courier)
- McIntosh Cottage Antiques will be opening a location at 714 Beltline Blvd., near Cross Hill Market. The owners plan to hold a soft opening in August and offer high-quality French + English antiques. 🕰️ (The Post and Courier)
WaterCooler
- Gamecock senior relief pitcher, John Gilreath, will be returning for another season thanks to an extra year of eligibility. In the 2021 season, he played in 15 games + struck out 20 batters in 23.1 innings. ⚾ (ABC Columbia)
ForKids
- Gladys’ Gang, a free children’s program, will be returning to the Columbia Museum of Art in September. The program, designed for kids ages 2-5 and their caregivers, will emphasize the process of art-making with a story, gallery time + a studio activity. 🎨
Coronavirus
- Richland 2 School District will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for students 12 and over. The drive-thru clinics will take place at the Richland 2 Institute of Innovation on July 24 and Aug. 14. Students will receive free school supplies when they get their second dose. 💉 (WIS)
State
- Keep an eye out for some local sharks during Discovery Channel’s Shark Week this week. The crew shot footage of a Great White shark feeding frenzy off the coast of Hilton Head. It will be featured in “Sharkadelic Summer 2” today at 9 p.m. 🦈 (The State)
Number
Health
- Looking for a new dentist? Dr. Shivani Patel + the team at 32 Dental (121 Wildewood Park Dr.) — a women-owned, women-staffed dentist office voted Best of Columbia for 3 years — are currently accepting new patients. Ⓟ
Arts
- Calling all creatives. Now through Aug. 3, anyone with a creative mind can enter your Columbia-focused designs into our Rep Your City Design Contest. Designs will be chosen by our team to be compensated + featured on products sold in The COLAtoday Shop. See details + enter. ✍️
The greenhouse at Wingard’s Market has been featured on the July cover of Green Profit Magazine. Green Profit is a national magazine and this issue they are highlighting how more retailers that are going for taller + modern greenhouses.
The Wingard’s greenhouse is a CS3 Aeromax, which has motorized vents and wide bays with tall sidewalls that help to control the environment.
“It was a bit of a shock when we got the call that we are on the cover,” said Wingard’s Co-Owner Wally Steinhauser. “To be recognized as a trendsetter in a national magazine that industry leaders read is incredible.”
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It looks like downtown is getting some fresh paint, courtesy of @christine.c.creates. Stay tuned for more updates from Huger Street as this new work-in-progress continues.
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