Fort Jackson, a major training installation of the United States Army, is located in Columbia, the capital city of South Carolina. Nestled at the heart of the state, Columbia sits at the meeting point of the Saluda and Broad rivers, which converge to form the Congaree River. This central location was strategically chosen by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1786 as the site for the new state capitol, with the legislature first convening in Columbia in 1790. This historical context is deeply intertwined with the establishment and growth of Fort Jackson.
Columbia’s strategic positioning fostered its rapid development as a key regional transportation hub, particularly during the antebellum period. Farmers from the surrounding areas utilized Columbia as a vital point for transporting agricultural goods like cotton and tobacco. These products were destined for both domestic markets across the United States and international markets in Europe, primarily via rail lines connecting Columbia to the port of Charleston. This history of connectivity and central importance laid the groundwork for Columbia’s later military significance.
South Carolina’s pivotal role in the lead-up to the American Civil War further shaped Columbia’s destiny. By the late 1850s, Columbia was a center of secessionist sentiment. Following Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860, calls to leave the Union intensified. The First Baptist Church in Columbia became a historic site when it hosted the South Carolina Secession Convention on December 17, 1860. Here, South Carolina unanimously voted to secede, becoming the first state to leave the Union, marking a critical moment in American history that unfolded in Columbia.
During the Civil War, Columbia served as a Confederate stronghold until the war’s final stages. In February 1865, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman’s army advanced towards Columbia after their devastating “March to the Sea.” Confederate forces, under the command of Columbia native Lieutenant General Wade Hampton III, were unable to effectively defend the city. As Union troops approached on February 17, retreating Confederate soldiers set fire to cotton stockpiles. Unfortunately, this led to widespread looting, vandalism, and further fires started by small groups of Union soldiers, resulting in a devastating conflagration that consumed a large part of Columbia.
Post-war, Wade Hampton III became a prominent figure in opposing federal Reconstruction policies. Despite the wartime devastation, Columbia and South Carolina began the long process of rebuilding. Hampton later served as governor of South Carolina from 1876 to 1879 and as a U.S. Senator from 1879 to 1891, continuing to influence the state’s direction in the aftermath of the Civil War.
The establishment of Fort Jackson in the 20th century marked a new chapter in Columbia’s history, linking it firmly to national military service. In 1916, amidst the global turmoil of World War I, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce recognized the strategic advantages of the area and proposed to the U.S. Army that land east of Columbia, belonging to the Hampton family, be utilized for a new training camp. The Army concurred, and local funds were quickly raised by the Chamber to purchase approximately 1,200 acres from the Hampton estate. This land was then donated to the federal government, paving the way for a major military installation near Columbia.
Camp Jackson was officially established in 1917 by Major Douglas MacArthur and named in honor of President Andrew Jackson. Although initially demobilized in 1921 after World War I, the site remained active as a South Carolina National Guard training camp during parts of the year. The escalating global tensions leading up to World War II prompted the reactivation of the installation as a federal base in September 1939. A year later, it was redesignated as Fort Jackson. During World War II, Fort Jackson played a crucial role in national defense, serving as the training ground for nine Army divisions.
While Fort Jackson was again scheduled for demobilization in 1950, the outbreak of the Korean War led to its continued operation. In 1956, Fort Jackson’s role evolved, officially becoming a U.S. Army Training Center. Today, it remains a vital training center, responsible for training approximately 50 percent of all soldiers entering the U.S. Army, solidifying its importance as a key location within the Army’s infrastructure.
Further expanding its significance within the veteran community, Fort Jackson became the location for a National Cemetery. The National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003 addressed the need for more veteran burial options. A study identified the Columbia-Greenville area as underserved, leading to the selection of a site at Fort Jackson. In 2008, the Department of Defense transferred land for this purpose, and Fort Jackson National Cemetery was dedicated and opened for burials in 2009. It stands as the third national cemetery in South Carolina and the 126th within the national system, honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans in the region.
In conclusion, Fort Jackson is not just a geographical location in Columbia, South Carolina; it is a place deeply embedded in American history. From its origins as Camp Jackson in the World War I era to its current status as a major U.S. Army Training Center and National Cemetery, Fort Jackson’s location in Columbia has been strategically and historically significant for over a century, contributing significantly to both the region and the nation.
