Timeline of Columbus, Georgia facts for kids

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Columbus, Georgia, US.

19th century

• 1828
  • Columbus settled on site of formerly Creek village.
  • Mirabeau B. Lamar begins publication of the Columbus Enquirer newspaper.
  • Methodist Church established.
  • Old City Cemetery founded.
• 1829 - Baptist Church established.
• 1830 - Population: 1,152.
• 1834 - Columbus Factory (textiles) in business.
• 1836 - Columbus becomes "center of military operations" against the Creek during the Creek War of 1836, fought nearby.
• 1840 - Wynnton School built (approximate date).
• 1846 - Fire.
• 1847 - Columbus Board of Trade founded.
• 1850
  • Columbus Times newspaper begins publication.
  • Population: 5,042.
• 1853
  • Mobile & Girard Railroad begins operating.
  • Columbus Iron Works built.
  • Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center built.
• 1854 - Temple Israel founded.
• 1856 - Pemberton House built.
• 1860 - Population: 9,621.
• 1865 - April 16: Battle of Columbus; Union forces win.
• 1867 - Rankin House built.
• 1868 - Eagle & Phenix Mill in operation.
• 1869 - Muscogee Mills in business.
• 1870
  • Bethel Baptist Church built (approximate date).
  • Population: 7,401.
• 1871
  • Springer Opera House opens.
  • Lummus Cotton Gin manufactory relocates to Columbus.
• 1879 - Confederate Monument erected.
• 1880 - Population: 10,123.
• 1886
  • Columbus Evening Ledger newspaper begins publication.
  • Future singer Ma Rainey born in Columbus.
• 1887
  • Columbus Messenger newspaper begins publication.
  • Synagogue dedicated.
• 1890 - Population: 17,303.
• 1900 - Population: 17,614.

20th century

• 1902 - Columbian Lodge No.7 Free and Accepted Masons building built.
• 1905
  • "Academic trade school" established.
  • Cole-Hampton-Hatcher Grocery introduces flavored beverage Royal Crown Ginger Ale.
• 1910 - Population: 20,554.
• 1914 - Grand Theatre built.
• 1918
  • U.S. military Camp Benning established near Columbus.
  • Textile labor unrest.
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Columbus branch organized (approximate date).
• 1920 - League of Women Voters of Columbus organized.
• 1921 - Centennial Cotton Gin Company relocates to Columbus.
• 1925 - Tom Huston Peanut and Candy Co. in business.
• 1926 - Lake Harding reservoir created on the Chattahoochee River near Columbus.
• 1928
  • WRBL radio begins broadcasting.
  • Muscogee County Courthouse built.
• 1929 - Social Civic 25 Club organized.
• 1930 - Spencer High School, the first African American high school in Columbus.
• 1936 - Junior League of Columbus established.
• 1940
  • Bradley Theatre opens.
  • Population: 53,280.
• 1949 - Columbus Symphony Orchestra active.
• 1950
  • Columbus Metropolitan Airport begins operating.
  • Columbus Drive-In cinema in business.
• 1953
  • WRBL-TV and WTVM (television) begin broadcasting.
  • Columbus Museum of Arts and Crafts opens.
• 1958 - Columbus College established.
• 1960 - Population: 116,779.
• 1962 - National Civil War Naval Museum opened.
• 1965 - B. Ed Johnson becomes mayor.
• 1966 - Historic Columbus Foundation formed.
• 1970 - Population: 154,168.
• 1971
  • Columbus joins with Muscogee County to form a consolidated city-county.
  • Racial unrest.
• 1972 - Metro Columbus Urban League established.
• 1975 - Historic District Preservation Society organized.
• 1976 - Chattahoochee Promenade built.
• 1979 - Columbus' only Interstate highway, auxiliary Interstate-185 fully opened connecting Columbus to mainline Interstate-85, Atlanta.
• 1980 - Population: 169,441.
• 1983 - Richard Ray becomes U.S. representative for Georgia's 3rd congressional district.
• 1988 - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper in publication.
• 1990 - Population: 178,681.
• 1993 - Sanford Bishop becomes U.S. representative for Georgia's 2nd congressional district.
• 1996
  • First ever Olympic Softball competition held at South Commons complex July 21–30.
  • Columbus Civic Center (arena) opens.
  • City website online (approximate date).

21st century

• 2009 - National Infantry Museum founded.
• 2010 - Population: 189,885.
• 2011 - Teresa Tomlinson becomes mayor.