The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows:

COLUMBIA, a county in the N. E. part of Florida, bordering on Georgia, has an area of 2560 square miles. The Suwanee river forms its boundary on the N. W. and W., the St. Mary's on the N. E., and the Santa Fe on the S. The surface is nearly level, and partly covered with pine woods; the soil is mostly sandy. Indian corn, cotton, sugar, and sweet potatoes are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 112,090 bushels of corn; 802 bales of cotton; 179 hogsheads of sugar; and 51,973 bushels of sweet potatoes. It contained 1 flouring mill, and one brick-yard; 17 churches, and 162 pupils attending public schools. Capital, Alligator. Population, 4808, of whom 3542 were free, and 1266, slaves.