Columbia, Mississippi

==History==
{{Refimprove section|date=February 2024}}
Columbia is the county seat of Marion County, which was created out of [[Amite County, Mississippi|Amite County]] in 1811, encompassing the southwest quarter of the current state of Mississippi. Before statehood in 1816, there were three territorial census/poll tax records taken of what was deemed Marion County at the time. These records reveal that during 1813, several Lott men arrived and settled on the [[Pearl River (Mississippi–Louisiana)|Pearl River]] in what is now Columbia. In 1813, William Lott was the largest slave holder near present-day Columbia, owning 28 people. There were five men, who settled south of present-day Columbia on {{convert|2789|acre}} of land with 65 enslaved people. North of present-day Columbia, on what was the earliest attempt at a town, was Timothy Terrell on {{convert|3151|acre}} with 32 slaves.

The land on which the current city of Columbia resides was first purchased for cash on April 18, 1820, by William Lott and John Lott. This land is Township 3 East, Range 18 West, Section 5 (640 acres), which is now the center of Columbia. Other early patent holders of Columbia include James Phillips, Jr., and John Cooper (1825), in Section 4 next to John and William Lott.<ref>Mississippi State and Territorial Census</ref><ref>Bureau of Land Management</ref>

Columbia was officially incorporated on June 25, 1819, becoming the fourth municipality in the state of Mississippi. It served as the temporary capital of Mississippi from November 1821, when the 5th session of the Mississippi Legislature first met there, until 1822. In that year, a special session of the legislature met in Columbia, inaugurating Governor [[Walter Leake]], and selecting LeFleur's Bluff (now [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]]) as the permanent capital.

Columbia, "The City of Charm on the River Pearl", has always been in danger of flooding, due to its bordering the Pearl River. The county courthouse, with its records dating back to pre-statehood, has managed to survive war, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes. In its first 100 years, Columbia relied on the Pearl River for transportation of goods. The river was much deeper and wider than it is now. Steamboat captains, such as John Black, lived in Columbia.<ref>1880 US Federal Census, Columbia, Marion Co, MS</ref>

During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], [[Union Army|Union]] troops under the command of General [[John Wynn Davidson]] camped outside Columbia, taking provisions from the local population. The courthouse was spared. The Southern Claims Commission Files detail these events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msmarion.com/history1863.html |title=Marion County Mississippi History Index |website=Msmarion.com |date=2008-10-30 |access-date=2017-05-02}}</ref>

In 1935, Mississippi's first [[rodeo]] was held in Columbia. In 2016, the Mississippi Rodeo Hall of Fame was founded and headquartered in Columbia.

During the [[civil rights movement]], Columbia and Marion County were the site of peaceful demonstrations, due to the diligent insistence of non-violence by Sheriff John Homer Willoughby. The town is known for its citizens ability to work together.<ref>Columbian-Progress newspaper, 1960-1964,</ref>

In 2005, Columbia suffered extensive damage from [[Hurricane Katrina]]. Once again, the courthouse survived. There was very limited looting, and citizens worked together with local churches, civic officials, and law enforcement to provide for citizens during the extensive power loss. Individuals immediately began helping their neighbors clear roads and escape being trapped in debris.

The day after Hurricane Katrina struck, several inmates took advantage of the storm damage and escaped from the Marion County Jail (some of whom had been charged with murder). Marion County deputies along with the help of the [[Mississippi National Guard]] and Kentucky State Police, captured all but one escapee, who was later apprehended in Texas just before he could get to the Mexican border.

Former Mississippi governor and Columbia native [[Hugh L. White]] introduced [[white squirrel]]s to the area, and they are still common in Columbia City Park. White's home still stands today, a stately reminder of architecture of the past.

In 2014, a tornado measuring EF3 on the [[Enhanced Fujita scale]] struck Columbia, causing widespread damage.<ref>{{cite news | last = Breslin | first = Sean | date = December 24, 2014 | title = Tornadoes Kill 5 in Mississippi; 50 Injured During Deep South Severe Weather | url = https://weather.com/storms/severe/news/severe-weather-latest-news | work = The Weather Channel}}</ref> Mutual aid took place between Columbia, Mississippi, and Columbia, South Carolina, following this natural disaster and the 1,000 year flood in South Carolina,<ref>"Resolution R-2016-053 To Honor the City of Columbia, Mississippi With Official Sisterhood for its Assistance during the October 2015 Flood" (PDF). City of Columbia SC. August 16, 2016.</ref>