Columbia's Wheeler Hill Neighborhood Erased by Expansion

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Memories from former residents of Columbia, South Carolina's Wheeler Hill neighborhood bring the once-thriving African American community back to life. This StoryCorps conversation reflects on how eminent domain and university expansion displaced the historically Black area, leaving only dorms where homes and local businesses once stood.

Why it matters

The story of Wheeler Hill highlights the lasting impact of urban renewal and university expansion on marginalized communities. As Columbia has grown, the displacement of this tight-knit African American neighborhood raises questions about equitable development and the preservation of cultural heritage.

The details

Wheeler Hill was a vibrant African American community in Columbia, South Carolina, known for its local churches, corner stores, and close-knit families. However, the neighborhood was ultimately erased through eminent domain and the expansion of the nearby University of South Carolina campus. Former residents have shared their memories of the community through the StoryCorps oral history project, recounting the displacement of homes and businesses to make way for university dorms.

• Wheeler Hill was an established African American neighborhood in Columbia in the mid-20th century.
• The neighborhood was gradually displaced through eminent domain and university expansion in the 1960s and 1970s.