Olympia Residents Council

Rocky Branch at Olympia Park

The Olympia Neighborhood was established in 1898 to provide housing for employees of the Olympia Cotton Mill. The area provides an opportunity to own a home for a reasonable price in downtown Columbia.

Located outside of Columbia's city limits Olympia is an diamond in the rough. Neighborhood schools include some of Richland One's finest, AC Moore Elementary, Hand Middle and Dreher High. Richland County Sheriff's Department statistics indicate Olympia is one of the safest neighborhoods in Richland County. Most houses have 12 foot ceilings, coal fireplaces, heart pine floors, and nice sized yards.

The Olympia Park, part of the Columbia River Walk, includes a great playground and the Rocky Branch Creek. Grocery shopping is conveniently located and includes a Bi-Lo, two Publix, and Rosewood Health Food Market. Olympia is minutes from the State House. Entertainment is within walking distance with the art gallery and events hosted by 701 Whaley, Williams-Brice Stadium, the Colonial Center and USC Baseball. Olympia is also home to six churches. Four are the original church buildings built by the mills, Whaley Street Methodist, Southside Baptist, Cornerstone Baptist (originally Episcopalian), Truth Deliverance (originally Catholic) and St. Lukes Lutheran. Those with websites are listed as links, others have pages on Facebook.