Timeline of Columbus, Georgia facts for kids

Columbus, Georgia, is a city with a rich and interesting past! This timeline will take you on a journey through its history, from its early days to modern times. You'll discover how Columbus grew, what important events happened there, and how it became the city it is today.

The Early Years: The 1800s

• 1828
  • Columbus was founded on land that was once a village of the Muscogee people.
  • A newspaper called the Columbus Enquirer started publishing.
  • The Methodist Church was established in the city.
  • The Old City Cemetery was created.
• 1829 - The Baptist Church was established.
• 1830 - The city's population was 1,152 people.
• 1834 - The Columbus Factory, which made textiles (cloth), began its operations.
• 1836 - Columbus became a key location for military actions during the Creek War of 1836, which was fought nearby.
• 1840 - The Wynnton School was built around this time.
• 1846 - A large fire occurred in the city.
• 1847 - The Columbus Board of Trade was founded to help with business.
• 1850
  • The Columbus Times newspaper started publishing.
  • The population grew to 5,042 people.
• 1853
  • The Mobile & Girard Railroad began running trains.
  • The Columbus Iron Works, a metalworking factory, was built.
  • The Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center was built.
• 1854 - Temple Israel, a Jewish place of worship, was founded.
• 1856 - The Pemberton House was built.
• 1860 - The population reached 9,621 people.
• 1865 - April 16: The Battle of Columbus took place, and Union forces won.
• 1867 - The Rankin House was built.
• 1868 - The Eagle & Phenix Mill started its operations.
• 1869 - Muscogee Mills, another factory, began its business.
• 1870
  • Bethel Baptist Church was built around this time.
  • The population was 7,401 people.
• 1871
  • The Springer Opera House, a famous theater, opened its doors.
  • Lummus Cotton Gin, a company that made machines for processing cotton, moved to Columbus.
• 1879 - A monument honoring the Confederacy was put up.
• 1880 - The population was 10,123 people.
• 1886
  • The Columbus Evening Ledger newspaper began publishing.
  • Ma Rainey, who would become a famous singer, was born in Columbus.
• 1887
  • The Columbus Messenger newspaper started.
  • A new synagogue was dedicated.
• 1890 - The population grew to 17,303 people.
• 1900 - The population was 17,614 people.

Growing Up: The 1900s

• 1902 - The building for the Columbian Lodge No.7 Free and Accepted Masons was built.
• 1905
  • An "academic trade school" was established.
  • Cole-Hampton-Hatcher Grocery introduced a new flavored drink called Royal Crown Ginger Ale.
• 1910 - The population was 20,554 people.
• 1914 - The Grand Theatre was built.
• 1918
  • Camp Benning, a U.S. military camp, was set up near Columbus.
  • There was some unrest among textile workers.
  • The Columbus branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed around this time.
• 1920 - The League of Women Voters of Columbus was organized.
• 1921 - Centennial Cotton Gin Company moved its operations to Columbus.
• 1925 - Tom Huston Peanut and Candy Co. started its business.
• 1926 - Lake Harding, a reservoir, was created on the Chattahoochee River near Columbus.
• 1928
  • WRBL radio station began broadcasting.
  • The Muscogee County Courthouse was built.
• 1929 - The Social Civic 25 Club was organized.
• 1930 - Spencer High School, the first high school for African American students in Columbus, was established.
• 1936 - The Junior League of Columbus was established.
• 1940
  • The Bradley Theatre opened.
  • The population reached 53,280 people.
• 1949 - The Columbus Symphony Orchestra became active.
• 1950
  • Columbus Metropolitan Airport began operating flights.
  • The Columbus Drive-In cinema opened for movies.
• 1953
  • WRBL-TV and WTVM (television) began broadcasting.
  • The Columbus Museum of Arts and Crafts opened.
• 1958 - Columbus College was established.
• 1960 - The population was 116,779 people.
• 1962 - The National Civil War Naval Museum opened.
• 1965 - B. Ed Johnson became the mayor of Columbus.
• 1966 - The Historic Columbus Foundation was formed to preserve old buildings.
• 1970 - The population was 154,168 people.
• 1971
  • Columbus joined with Muscogee County to form a consolidated city-county, meaning they became one combined government.
  • There was some racial unrest in the city.
• 1972 - The Metro Columbus Urban League was established.
• 1975 - The Historic District Preservation Society was organized.
• 1976 - The Chattahoochee Promenade was built.
• 1979 - Interstate-185, Columbus's only Interstate highway, fully opened, connecting the city to Interstate-85 and Atlanta.
• 1980 - The population was 169,441 people.
• 1983 - Richard Ray became the U.S. representative for Georgia's 3rd congressional district.
• 1988 - The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper was in publication.
• 1990 - The population was 178,681 people.
• 1993 - Sanford Bishop became the U.S. representative for Georgia's 2nd congressional district.
• 1996
  • The first-ever Olympic Softball competition was held at the South Commons complex from July 21–30.
  • The Columbus Civic Center, a large arena, opened.
  • The city's official website went online around this time.

Modern Times: The 2000s

• 2009 - The National Infantry Museum was founded.
• 2010 - The population was 189,885 people.
• 2011 - Teresa Tomlinson became the mayor of Columbus.