Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District facts for kids
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Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District
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Muscogee Mills, HABS photo, c. 1977
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
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| Location | sites along the Chattahoochee River between 8th St. N. and 38th St., Columbus, Georgia |
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| Built | 1844 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000995 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 2, 1978 |
| Designated NHLD | June 2, 1978 |
The Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District is a special place in Columbus, Georgia. It shows off some of the best 19th-century factories that used water power. This area is so important that it's called a National Historic Landmark District. It includes five old factory sites. Some parts of these factories are from as far back as the 1830s! They are all found along the Chattahoochee River. The district was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 1978.
Why is Columbus a Great Place for Factories?
The city of Columbus is located at a unique spot on the Chattahoochee River. This spot is called the fall line. Here, the river drops about 125 feet (38 meters) over a short distance of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). This big drop in the river made it perfect for factories that needed water power.
How Did Industry Start in Columbus?
People realized early on that this was a great place for factories. The first dam on the river was built in 1828. This started what became one of the biggest factory areas in the Southern United States during the 1800s. You can still see parts of the old factory machines today. These parts show how water power was used. They also show how early electricity was made and moved around.
Columbus's Role in History
One of the most famous factories was the Eagle and Phenix Mills. It was once the largest textile factory in the South. During the American Civil War, Columbus was a very important place for making goods for the Confederacy.
Exploring the Historic Mills
Let's take a closer look at some of the important factory sites in the district. Each one has its own unique story and history.
Bibb Mill: A Glimpse into Old Technology
The main building of the Bibb Mill is a tall, five-story brick building. It sits high up, looking over the river. Even though the main building is from the early 1900s, some smaller buildings here are much older. They still have parts of an old pulley and rope system. This system was used to power machines until 1954! That's when its main drive shaft broke.
City Mills: From Grist to Electricity
The City Mills complex started as a place to grind grain (a grist mill). The oldest building here was built in 1869. It was built by Horace King, a famous African-American builder from the region. The first dam from 1828 was replaced in 1908. After that, the main building was changed to make and send out electricity. It still has power generators from 1919. Some of these generators even worked into the 1960s!
Muscogee Mills: A Mix of Old and New
The Muscogee Mills show the most different styles of buildings. You can see fancy 19th-century factory buildings next to simpler 20th-century ones. This complex also includes the city's original Carnegie library. You can even still see parts of the original water channel (called a millrace) from 1844.
Eagle and Phenix Mills: A Giant of the South
The Eagle and Phenix Mills complex has three main factory buildings. They are built facing the river. All of these buildings started in the 1800s. They have been changed or made bigger over time. The original water channel and dam for this mill also still exist in some way.
Columbus Ironworks: A Modern Transformation
The oldest buildings at the Columbus Ironworks complex are from the early 1900s. The older buildings were destroyed by a fire in 1902. This complex has several types of early electrical equipment. This includes a DC generator and three AC generators. Today, part of this property has been turned into a convention and event center.
