The "The Town That History Just Won't Forget" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just came across one more story telling about the history of Columbia, Pennsylvania.  I have written several stories about Columbia and those that settled it, those that enhanced it as well as those that call it home today.  But, what I recently read told a bit more about this small town located along the mighty Susquehanna River and why it played such a huge role in the history of our country.  

At one time in history, Native Americans lived along the banks of the Susque- hanna in what today is known as Columbia.  It wasn't until 1726 that the families of John Wright, Robert Barber and Samuel Blunston settled on property on the east side of the river.  Mr. Wright developed a ferry business in 1730 so that passengers and goods could be transported across the river to what eventually was called Wright's Ferry, and today is known as Wrightsville.  

Part of the canal along the Susquehanna.

Wright's Ferry was well known throughout the Colonies at the time.  In 1788 the grandson of John Wright, Samuel Wright, laid out 160 lots that soon became known as Columbia, named after Christopher Columbus.  A year later the small, but growing town of Columbia gained in importance and was on the short list of becoming our Nation's Capital.  Never happened and it also missed being the capital of Pennsylvania which went to the more centrally located Harrisburg.  

The original railroad station in Columbia.

In 1814 the Borough of Columbia was incorporated and the first wooden bridge across the Susque- hanna River was completed allowing a better flow of people and products from Lancaster County to York County.  Sixteen years later Columbia became a terminal on the Pennsylvania Canal System.  A canal basin was constructed at Columbia to help in the movement of goods that traveled by canal barges.  

Burning of the bridge over the Susquehanna
River on June 28, 1863. During the Civil War.

Eventually the Pennsyl- vania Main Line Canal was built along the west side bank of the Susque- hanna which linked the town of Wrightsville with the Chesapeake.  Remnants of that canal system still remain today.  In 1934 the first rail line from Philadelphia to the town of Columbia was completed and allowed goods from Philadelphia to reach the Susquehanna River.  Soon rail lines ran north and south from Columbia and eventually joined the tracks of the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad.  

Remnants of the Canal along the river.

A rail line was also built across the river to Wrightsville.  In the mid-nineteenth century iron was discovered in Columbia.  Furnaces were erected during the 1840s and 50s and rolling mills were added soon after.  Wealth began to arrive in Columbia, but by the second half of the 1900s that wealth began to disappear.  The iron ore disappeared resulting in the closing of the iron furnaces.  

The Canal Basin

The canal became a thing of the past, since the railroad took over.  And then the lumber industry, which had been a mainstay since people arrived in the area, began to decline due to the surrounding woodlands being depleted.  But, these industries were soon replaced by factories which produced silk textiles, stoves and baked goods.  The 1900s brought in economic change when railroad facilities were moved to the Enola Yards near Harrisburg and surrounding cities and towns experienced rapid job creation.  New challenges arose in Columbia.  

Beautiful photo of the bridge over the
Susquehanna.  Photographer unknown.

As we begin to work our way through the twenty-first century, the town of Columbia seems to be vibrant once again.  The historic architecture is being preserved and the small shops and businesses are drawing new life to the town.  I have made many visits to document stories and love the place.  Taking in the sights of the river is amazing.  I can see why Columbia is proud of its past and is striving to draw attention to their future.   it was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.