Note on Transportation

From 1904 through 1920 the population increased in Columbia, S.C. from 21,108 to 37,524 and shifted from outlining farm area’s to city living (Moore 277). With the positive direction of industry, incomes increased, disposable funds increased and family found them selves with extra time and cinema became a very common form of entertainment for adults and children of all ages and races. As jobs became more available and new opportunities arose, the city's population grew, and the number of commuters did as well. This led to a high demand for more types of transportation at multiple times. As the industrial revolution was widely impacting the expansion of Columbia, the demand for more modes of public transportation such as railways, trolley cars, buses and bikes was met (Moore 287). This gave people outside the city an opportunity to commute at a variety of different times convenient for them. The number of railroads in Columbia expanded, giving people a way to commute into the city from suburbs and other towns at farther distances (Moore 292). The use of buses and trolley cars also brought floods of people into the city were affordable for a variety of people (Moore 284). As travel became more efficient and the population grew, the demand for more theaters and films was extremely high, and exhibitors saw the opportunity to make profit and therefore multiple theaters were built. The invention of the automobile also gave people the ability to commute whenever they pleased. Automobile advertisements were published strategically next to theater and showtime advertisements in local newspapers (see e.g., Col. 4 Ads. from 1910). People were beginning to own their own cars, which gave them the ability to travel at absolutely anytime. People could travel as far or as short as they wanted with the privilege of owning their own automobile. This inflow of people into the city looking for entertainment meant exhibitioners had to keep up with the demand, leading to an increase in the number of theaters and films and the popular cinema culture.

Work Cited (but not linked)

Moore, John Hammond. Columbia and Richland County: A South Carolina Community, 1740-1990. Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press, 1992.