From railroad passageway to public art destination: The remarkable transformation of Columbia’s Lincoln Street Tunnel

Pamela Zeljak, One Columbia; Beth Frost, Vista Guild Board Chair; Fred Delk, Columbia Development Corp; Tyler Bailey, Columbia City Council

For more than 125 years, the Lincoln Street Tunnel has been part of Columbia’s changing landscape. What began as a railroad passageway serving the city’s commercial district eventually became an abandoned corridor, then a pedestrian greenway. Today, it has entered another chapter — as a destination for public art.

On Thursday evening, Oct. 29, community leaders, artists and supporters gathered at 1300 Lincoln St. to celebrate the unveiling of “Rainbow Forest,” a new illuminated art installation that transforms the historic tunnel into an immersive experience of light, shadow, color and movement.

The project represents the latest step in a decadeslong effort to reclaim a historic piece of Columbia’s infrastructure while strengthening connections between downtown neighborhoods.

From railroad corridor to pedestrian greenway

Construction of the railroad passageway began in 1899 as part of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad’s expansion through Columbia. The rail corridor connected commercial and industrial districts, including the warehouses and businesses that once defined the Vista.

Railroad traffic was rerouted in 1991, ending the tunnel’s original purpose. For years afterward, the passageway remained largely neglected. Residents who remember the 1990s and early 2000s recall abandoned tracks, deteriorating conditions and a space frequently used as shelter by people experiencing homelessness.

The tunnel’s transformation accelerated in 2012, when it reopened as part of the Vista Greenway, converting the former railroad corridor into a pedestrian and bicycle connection.

Another milestone came in 2017, when Leadership Columbia unveiled WatermarkedSC, a beautification project that added murals, landscaping and historical markers. The project commemorated the community’s resilience following the devastating floods of October 2015.

Now, “Rainbow Forest” brings another dimension to the historic passageway.

Inspired by the natural beauty of the Congaree

Led by artist Jill Anholt, working with Zoe Jackson, Sophia Brunas and Imagine Design and Production Ltd., “Rainbow Forest” draws inspiration from the ancient forests of Congaree National Park.

The installation reflects the rare rainbow-colored pools that appear when sunlight catches natural oils on the surface of water in the park’s flooded bottomland forests. The resulting artwork uses illumination, movement and color to create an experience that changes as visitors travel through the tunnel.

The project was made possible through a partnership involving the Congaree Vista Guild, Columbia Development Corporation, One Columbia for Arts & Culture and the city of Columbia.

At Thursday’s reception, Vista Guild representatives explained that conversations about the installation began in December 2022, following a donation intended to support a large-scale public art project. The goal was to draw attention to the tunnel as an important connection between the Vista and Finlay Park.

Tyler Bailey, chairman of the city’s historic preservation, arts and philanthropy committee, spoke about Columbia’s growing commitment to public art and the collaboration required to bring projects like this to life. He emphasized the importance of creating an environment where artists and community organizations can contribute to Columbia’s identity as a vibrant, creative city.

[Click on the photos to get a better look].

Connecting Columbia’s past and future

A representative of the Columbia Development Corporation described “Rainbow Forest” as one of the organization’s final projects, supported by funds distributed to community improvements as the corporation wound down its operations.

He reflected on the artists, preservationists and community leaders who helped transform the Vista from an aging warehouse district into one of Columbia’s most recognizable neighborhoods.

The tunnel is part of a larger network of pedestrian connections extending from neighborhoods north of downtown through the Vista and toward Olympia and Whaley Street. He also pointed to the possibility of eventually developing a connected system of pathways around the city, building on ideas dating back more than a century.

That vision makes the timing of “Rainbow Forest” particularly meaningful, as the revitalization of Finlay Park and continued investment in the Vista create new opportunities to connect Columbia’s public spaces.

A Halloween celebration in the Vista

The public can experience “Rainbow Forest” on Friday, Oct. 30, beginning at 5 p.m., as the Congaree Vista Guild incorporates the installation into its Halloween festivities.

Participating trick-or-treat locations include EdVenture Children’s Museum, Addam’s Gamecock Gear, Experience Columbia SC Visitors Center, AURA Kitchen & Bar, Koger Center for the Arts, Blue Marlin and Raccoon’s Den.

SC Equality will present the Rainbow Forest Unveil Party at the tunnel, and visitors can continue their evening at Finlay Park for Finlay Fridays.

“Since the Vista is all about art, we love combining an art-focused event with other activities,” said Congaree Vista Guild Executive Director Abby Anderson. “We’re hoping the community will come to the Vista to do their traditional trick-or-treating and then experience this amazing new lighted art installation in the tunnel.”

Additional information is available at VistaColumbia.com.

A new chapter for a historic landmark

The evolution of the Lincoln Street Tunnel demonstrates how cities can reinvent existing infrastructure while preserving their history.

A railroad corridor that once helped power Columbia’s commercial economy has become a public space connecting neighborhoods, celebrating creativity and inviting people to experience the city in a different way.

With “Rainbow Forest,” the tunnel adds another colorful chapter to a story that began more than a century ago.