Did You Know?
​
Things Everyone Should Know About Columbia
John Wright, a founder of Wright’s Ferry, named the city and county of Lancaster in 1729.
​
His daughter, Suzanna Wright, launched the American silk industry from her home in Wright’s Ferry in the 1730s.
​
In 1788, following the American Revolution, Columbia narrowly missed being chosen as the permanent capital of the United States.
​
Over the course of a half-century prior to the Civil War, Columbia served as a safe haven for thousands of freedom seekers as the “first stop” on the Underground Railroad.
​
In 1814, the covered bridge constructed between Columbia and Wrightsville was the longest in the world.
African American business leaders Stephen Smith and William Whipper owned the railroad line linking Columbia and Philadelphia, and used it to move freedom seekers in a secret compartment.
Three weeks prior to his election as U.S. President in 1848, Zachary Taylor delivered a campaign speech from the balcony of a home on South Second Street.
In 1863, Columbians thwarted the Confederate Army’s bid to cross the Susquehanna River by burning the bridge, setting the stage for the Battle of Gettysburg days later.
During its industrial heyday at the turn of the 20th century, Columbia had more than 50 factories in operation—and was briefly considered as the future home of the American automotive industry.
More than a dozen unique and prominent Americans were born or raised in Columbia.
ncluding…
Richard Cochran, leader of America’s breakout victory in the Battle of Resaca de la Palma during the Mexican-American War.
David Max Eichorn, international authority on Reform Judaism who helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp.
Samuel Hinkle, Hershey food scientist who created the formulas for Mr. Goodbar and Hersey’s Syrup.
Amelia Reynolds Long, Science Fiction and Murder Mystery author.
John Houston Mifflin, an early experimenter in Daguerreotype photographer.
Lloyd Mifflin, artist and poet hailed as America’s Sonneteer in the early 1900s.
Reg Kehoe, nationally known bandleader of the Marimba Queens.
John Knox MacArthur, World War I dog-fighting ace who shot down six German planes in five weeks.
Major General Edward Shannon, hero of the Spanish-American War and World War I, who also pursued Pancho Villa in Mexico.
Jimmy Sheckard, baseball outfielder who led the National League in several categories, including home runs and stolen bases, and winner of two World Series.
Arthur Studenroth, cross-country runner and winner of a silver medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Dick Sutcliffe, stop-motion artist and creator of the 1960s classic Davey and Goliath.
Stephen Swails, Seargent Major of the famed 54th Massachusetts and later America’s first Black commissioned officer.
Dr. Lillian Welsh, an early proponent of prenatal care and a leader in the American suffragist movement.
Thomas Welsh, hero of the Mexican-American War and Brigadier General during the Civil War.
Suzanne Westenhoer, the first openly gay comedian to have her own HBO special.