Rankin House (Columbus, Georgia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rankin House
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1936 photograph of the Rankin House from the Historic American Buildings Survey
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1440 Second Avenue, Columbus, GA |
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| Built | 1867 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000393 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
The Rankin House is a special old home located in Columbus, Georgia. It was officially recognized as a historic place on March 16, 1972. This means it's an important building that tells a story about the past. You can find it at 1440 2nd Avenue. Today, the first floor of the house is a museum. The upper floor is home to the Historic Columbus Foundation, a group that helps protect old buildings.
The Rankin House was built for a man named James Rankin. He was a farmer who owned large farms, and he also owned The Rankin Hotel. James Rankin moved to Columbus from a place called Ayrshire, Scotland. Building the house was a big project. It even had to pause for a while because of the American Civil War.
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Exploring the Rankin House
The Rankin House is full of interesting details. It has beautiful iron decorations outside. Inside, you can see shiny pine floors. There are also fancy marble fireplaces. A grand double staircase made of walnut wood connects the floors.
Inside the Museum Rooms
When you visit the museum rooms, look up! You will see special gaslight chandeliers. These lights were used a long time ago. They are a highlight of the house.
Music and Parlor Rooms
The music room has a beautiful rosewood piano. This piano was made for concerts. You can also see a picture of James Rankin, the first owner. There is also a unique "petticoat table" and a fancy gold mirror. In the south parlor, another old piano called a piano forte is on display.
Servants' Staircase and Fencing
The house also has a hidden staircase. This was used by the servants who worked there. It was a very expensive home when it was built. Even the fence around the property is historic. It came from the home of General Henry Lewis Benning. He was a famous general from the Civil War era.
See also
