History
Columbia was incorporated in 1821 into the state of Missouri, and was organized to house the University of Missouri, which was founded in 1839. The city was largely undamaged during the American Civil War, and while it was historically a pro-slavery town, joined the union in the fighting, with many troops calling the University home during the war. The growth of the city during the 1900s helped establish it as the fifth largest in the state, and continues to be a major educational influence in the nation.