Hello Friday.
April 26 2024
It's homecoming week for UofSC, so wanted to talk about one of the most unique traditions you could experience in Columbia. 🚂
If you’ve spent a Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Cockabooses or maybe even tailgated at one of them — if you’re lucky. Let’s talk history, experience + price.
Gamecock fanatics can let off some steam in the 30-by-9 foot car, complete with a kitchenette, bathroom, and deck located steps outside the stadium.
So who came up with this idea? Originally, a developer wanted to hook cabooses to a train and pull them from a local country club to the stadium. This fell through, which led to the development of the 22-car Cockaboose Railroad in 1990. All but 2 of the cars sold for $45,000 each within 48 hours.
The last recorded selling price of a Cockaboose was in 2019 for about $250,000, and a pair of them — with a total of ~540 sqft. — were sold for approximately $400,000. If you’re looking for some perspective, the average home value index in Columbia is around $180,000 as of August.
While it may not be realistic to purchase your own “rail-gating” set-up, there are other options, like multiple Airbnbs located within walking distance of the stadium or you can check out this game day guide to tackle game day like a pro.
If you’re not looking to settle for anything less than the locomotive experience, grab some pre-game drinks at TLC (The Loose Caboose) Sports Bar and Grill, located right next to Gamecock Park.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your BFFs, your favorite Gamecock fans, tailgating buddies, and anyone else who might be interested in the history of the Cockabooses.
Today
Wednesday
- Oktoberfest 2021 | Wed., Oct. 13- Sun., Oct. 17 | Times vary | Angry Fish Brewing Company | Price of purchase | Enjoy German-themed music, food + beer. 🍻
- Contractors for Hope | Wed., Oct. 13 | 5-9 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing | Free | Enjoy beer and live music to benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank.
- The South Carolina State Fair | Wed., Oct. 13-Sun., Oct. 24 | Hours vary by day | SC State Fairgrounds | $10 through Oct. 12 | The South Carolina State Fair is back in person for 12 days of exhibits, competitions, food, rides, entertainment and the free, daily “CIRCUS at the Fair.” Ⓟ
Thursday
- Wine 101 | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 6-7 p.m. + 7:30-8:30 p.m. | femme X COLUMBIA | $30 | Enjoy an evening of wine education + tasting. 🍷
- Vista After 5 with Whit’s End | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 5:30 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free 🎤
- Tequila Sunset Yoga | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 6-7 p.m. | Stone River | $20 | Participate in a yoga class while enjoying riverfront views + a cocktail.
- Candle Pouring Workshop | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse | $60 | Tickets include a bottle of wine + the materials to make 2 candles. 🕯️
Plan Ahead
- Tea Talk: LGBTQ+ and Healthcare | Sun., Oct. 24 | 1-3 p.m. | femme x Columbia, 1501 Richland St. | Free | Join YLS for afternoon tea, coffee and light refreshments during a community conversation about healthcare, mental illness, and homelessness in the Midlands. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Opendoor’s Home Improvement Calculator helps homeowners calculate which home improvement projects can increase the value of their home | Photo by Opendoor
Whether a certified DIY expert or just a fan of Chip and Joanna, homeowners can calculate which home improvement projects can increase the value of their home (even if they’re not planning on moving anytime soon). 🔨
Here’s how:
- Open up Opendoor’s Home Improvement Calculator
- Select your city
- Estimate your home’s value (get an estimate)
- Select a remodeling project
- See the value-add.
Knowing can help make the investment decision (and negotiations with contractors) easier. Ⓟ
Weather
- 82º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain ☀️
Civic
- The Lexington-Richland School Board District 5 special election starts today. Check the full election schedule here.
Development
- UofSC’s new medical campus scheduled to be built in the BullStreet District is now predicted to cost $300 million — that’s almost 50% more than the original quote back in 2016. Read why the cost has increased here. (The State)
Sports
- UofSC freshman Sarah Hamner made school history after being the first freshman in the program to win the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Championships singles. You go, Sarah! 🤙 (The State)
Number
- 9. The number of players joining the Gamecock’s men’s basketball team this year. Last year’s record sitting at 6-15 leaves many fans wondering how the new teammates will perform. Fans will have the opportunity to see the team play together for the first exhibition game on Nov. 4. 🏀 (The Post and Courier)
Arts
- After volunteers with Through Our Eyes got back 60% of the 50 disposable cameras they gave to the homeless around Columbia, they will pick the top 20 photos this week to showcase in an exhibit coming in November. The photos will be on display at the Koger Center of the Arts through Dec. 15. 📸 (WLTX)
Cause
- Stuff-A-Bus is back in the Midlands and The Salvation Army will is collecting holiday gifts for families who may not have the means to buy them. See where + how to register to get involved locally, here. 🧸 (WLTX)
Outdoors
- Two fishing tournaments are scheduled for this month at Lake Murray. The Major League Fishing’s Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship will take place Oct. 14-15, and the Carolina’s Bass Challenge Classic will take place Oct. 22-23. Make sure to register soon for the competitions, if interested. 🎣
Traffic
- The SC Highway Patrol will be taking extra patrols in Richland + Saluda counties on Saturday to reduce the speed of drivers. Patrol officers want to see a change in speeds to keep citizens safer. 🚓 (The State)
State
- South Carolina’s fastest-growing counties will be receiving larger pieces of state funding, and that includes Lexington County. Take a look at the census data for SC counties compared to their population shifts to see how state funding is decided + allocated. 💰 (The Post and Courier)
Finance
Soda Citizen
- President + CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, Lou Kennedy, was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Lexington for her work serving the Midlands. 🏆 Ⓟ
Alodia's Irmo location is back and set to reopen on Oct. 19, located on North Lake Drive.
Mark your calendars, check out its dinner menu, and book a reservation to celebrate.
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Can you guess what South Carolina’s top Googled dream job is? 💼
Over the past 5 years, CenturyLink used Google Trends data + Brandwatch analytics to find each state’s top dream jobs. Turns out, South Carolina’s top Googled dream job is an actor. Surprised? We were too.
If this is your dream job, check out these local gigs to apply for that'll get you 1 step closer to the career path of your dreams.
Check out all the other state’s top Googled dream jobs on this map.
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