Page 27 - Columbus NCG 2020

HISTORY

THE REGIONAL HISTORY OF
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

Progress Through Trials, Triumphs, and Innovation

1828: 1828: 1860: 1865:

The 1,200-acre town The first steamboat Columbus is ranked During the Civil War,
of Columbus is from the Gulf of second, under General James H.
planned and Mexico to Columbus, Richmond, Va., in Wilson destroys the
established. “Fanny”, arrives and industry. The city is factories and mills of
is followed by called “Lowell of the Columbus and nearby
countless boats eager South” with a paper mill, West Point.
for a stake in the a cotton gin maker, a
cotton market. furniture factory, several
iron works, textile mills,
and river transportation.

1886: 1898: 1918: 1918: 1922:

Dr. John S. Mayor L.H. Chappell lures Fort Benning is Ernest Woodru›, a Columbus becomes
Pemberton, a a military training camp established as Columbus native and the first major
Columbus to town, paves downtown Camp Benning, and Atlanta businessman, Southern city to
pharmacist, invents streets, builds sewers and provides basic engineers the adopt the
Coca-Cola. In 1891, steel bridges, plants trees, training in purchase of commission–city
Pemberton sells his and creates the modern World War I. Coca-Cola from the manager form of
interest to Atlanta municipal water works, Candler family for government.
businessman Asa transforming the muddy $25 million.
Griggs Candler. Chattahoochee into
drinking water.

1927: 1930s: 1958: 1960s: 1968-

Bibb Manufacturing Royal Crown Cola is Columbus College Columbus’ historic 1971:
Company's 2,500- produced by the is established in a preservation
employee plant is among Claud Hatcher closed mill. movement begins The city doubles in
the largest cotton mills in company. when the 1871 size by absorbing the
America. Bibb and many Springer Opera House remaining county
others flock to Columbus is threatened with areas and
throughout the 20th demolition. consolidating
Century, allowing the city governments.
to remain a center for
business prosperity.

2003: 2011: 2012- 2018 2019

Under federal court order Fort Benning 2013: Phase I of the Mercer University
to build a combined becomes home to Columbus Dragonfly announces medical
sewer-overflow system, the Maneuver Two century-old dams Trail opens and will school expansion in
the Columbus Water Center of on the Chattahoochee eventually include 60 Columbus; a
Works begins developing Excellence. River are removed. miles of greenway four-year campus will
the RiverWalk, which Whitewater rašing, trails for strolling and open in 2021.
eventually extends for 22 kayaking, and cycling along the
miles, from Fort Benning, cross-river zip line RiverWalk, Fall Line
south of town, to Lake courses become Trace and throughout
Oliver to the north. attractions. much of Columbus.

Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce | www.columbusgachamber.com | 706-327-1566 23