[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBIA BOROUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LLOYD SMUCKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 2026

  Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the 300th 
anniversary of Columbia Borough in Pennsylvania. Columbia, located in 
western Lancaster County along the Susquehanna River, was founded in 
1726 by Quaker settler and entrepreneur John Wright near a Shawnee 
village. Originally known as Wright's Ferry, the community was formally 
laid out by John Wright's son, Samuel Wright, who renamed it Columbia 
in 1788. As a nod to Christopher Columbus, Samuel hoped to persuade 
Congress to make it the capital of the United States. That ambition 
fell short by a formal 10-9 vote, only broken by the vice president, in 
1790. Renowned at the time for its railroads and bridges, Columbia 
became an important transportation hub in the decades that followed and 
served as a beacon of light along the Underground Railroad. In the 
summer of 1863, as Confederate forces invaded Pennsylvania in an 
attempt to force Union capitulation, the residents of Columbia burned 
their mile-long bridge across the Susquehanna River and halted the 
advancing Confederate troops. This courageous act helped protect 
communities east of the river and remains one of the borough's most 
significant contributions during the Civil War.
  By the late nineteenth century, Columbia had emerged as major 
industrial center, manufacturing products ranging from silk to 
machinery. While its economy has shifted away from manufacturing, the 
borough is now known for its museums, antique shops, and recreational 
opportunities along the Susquehanna River. Columbia, a small borough of 
10,000 people, has a rich history intertwined with that of Lancaster 
County and our Nation as a whole. It is an honor to represent Columbia 
Borough and its residents, and I wish them heartfelt congratulations 
for 300 years of incredible contributions to our community and our 
country. I look forward to witnessing the next chapter in the proud 
history of this mighty river town.

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