Quote Originally Posted by Columbia, Tennessee Wikipdeia
A year after the organization of Maury County in 1807, Columbia was laid out in 1808 and lots were sold. The original town, on the south bank of the Duck River, consisted of only four blocks. The town was incorporated in 1817. For years, it was the county seat of the richest county in agricultural wealth in the state. Today, it is an important tourist destination, most of whom are drawn by the numerous historic sites in the area. Attractions include the James K. Polk Home, the Columbia Athenaeum, Mule Day, and nearby plantation homes.
Quote Originally Posted by Columbia, Tennessee Wikipedia
In 1946, a race riot dubbed 'The Columbia Race Riot' occurred in the county seat, Columbia, TN.
A fight between James Stephenson, a black Navy veteran, and a white shopkeeper apparently ignited the event, and later that same day there was shooting, fighting, and rioting between whites and blacks in a part of Columbia known as "Mink Slide", a name for the black business district. Several people were eventually charged with rioting and attempted murder; the main attorney who arrived in Columbia to defend Stephenson in the case was Thurgood Marshall, who would later become the first black United States Supreme Court justice.
We had Hannah Montana the movie filmed downtown. WE WIN.
We also had James K. Polk, 11th president I believe; Lynnette Cole who was Miss USA 2000; and Sterling Marlin, for all you NASCAR fans.