Originally known as the Long Branch community, the early history of the area now known as Springdale was influenced by Platt Springs Road, which ran through Springdale on its way from Granby on the Congaree to the Platt Springs area and the Platt Springs Academy.

The area was sparsely settled with the Buff, Corley, Hook, Roof, Seay, Shull and Sox families living in the area. The area received telephone lines in 1909 when Samuel B. George connected the community. In the early 20th century, the Corley and Hook families ran saw mills and in 1928, the Roof family started a dairy off of Platt Springs Road that became known as the Long Branch Dairy.

World War II caused massive changes in the community, though, as land was purchased from local farmers for the construction of the Columbia Army Air Base. Several planes crashed in the community during training flights. An officer’s club was also established in what would become the Town of Springdale. After the war, the Army Air Base was transferred to civilian use and became the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

In the 1950s, West Columbia began trying to annex the Long Branch community into its city limits. To head off this annexation, the residents of the Long Branch community began the process of creating their own incorporated town. Although several names were considered including Sherwood, the voters ultimately decided on Springdale for the number of springs in the area.

A vote on the incorporation occurred on June 7, 1955 with 34 voters in favor and 25 against. Job Roof was chosen as the first intendant (mayor). Since there was no municipal building in existence at that time, the first council meeting was held in a car under a tree at the corner of Platt Springs Road and Springdale Road. The town grew as more and more residents moved into the areas surrounding Columbia.

Although the Town of Springdale may have been created to stop the annexation by the City of West Columbia, there have been several failed attempts at combining the municipalities of West Columbia, Cayce and Springdale since the 1970s.

Springdale continues to grow thanks to its proximity to Columbia and major roads such as Platt Springs and U.S. Highway 1.

J.R. Fennell has served as director of the Lexington County Museum since 2007. He holds a master’s degree in public history and a certificate of museum management from the University of South Carolina.