Columbus is a city located in Muscogee County, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 186,291. The city is the county seat of Muscogee County. Metropolitan area The Columbus metropolitan area comprises of three counties in Georgia, and one in Alabama. Georgia Chattahoochee County Harris County Muscogee County Alabama Russell County History Founded in 1828 by an act of the Georgia Legislature, Columbus was situated at the end of the navigable portion of the Chattahoochee River and on the last stretch of the Federal Road before entering Alabama. The city was named for Christopher Columbus, its founders likely influenced by the writings of Washington Irving. The plan for the city was drawn up by Dr. Edwin L. DeGaffenried who placed the town on a bluff overlooking the river. Across the river, where Phenix City, Alabama is now located, Creek Indians lived until their removal in 1836. The river served as Columbus' connection to the world, particularly connecting the plantations in the region with the international cotton market via New Orleans and ultimately Liverpool, England. The city's commercial importance increased in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroad. In addition, textile mills began springing up along the river bringing industry to an area reliant upon agriculture. By 1860, the city was one of the more important industrial centers of the South, earning it the nickname "the Lowell of the South." When the outbreak of war came in 1861, the industries of Columbus expanded their production and Columbus became one of the most important centers of industry in the Confederacy. In addition to textiles, the city had an ironworks as well as a shipyard for the Confederate Navy. The city finally saw its only fighting when on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1865 a Union detatchment under General James H. Wilson attacked the city and burned many of the industrial buildings. Reconstruction began almost immediately and prosperity was found. The industrialization of the town led to rapid growth. By now, the city had outgrown its original plan. Columbus was graced with the Springer Opera House on 10th Avenue, which would see over a century of great performers and still delights audiences today. By the time of the Spanish American War, the city began to see much modernization including the addition of trolleys and a new water works. Mayor Lucius Chappell also brought a training camp for soldiers to the area. This training camp would grow into Fort Benning, named for General Henry L. Benning, a native of the city. With the expansion of the city, the need for a university saw the establishment of Columbus Junior College which would later grow into Columbus State University. As the city has turned from its initial industry of texttiles, it has found a home for other prominent industries including the headquarters for AFLAC. Famous Columbus residents General Henry Lewis Benning, Confederate general. Augusta Jane Evans, novelist. Carson McCullers, novelist and author of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. John Stith Pemberton, created Coca-Cola. Ma Rainey, blues-musician known as 'The Mother of the Blues". Alma Thomas, African-American artist. Frank Thomas, baseball player for the Chicago White Sox. Miscellaneous Columbus is the third largest city in Georgia, both in metropolitan area and core city. The companies Aflac and Synovus locate their headquarters in Columbus. Habitat for Humanity also has its world headquarters there. Columbus lies right next to Fort Benning, home of a U.S. sniper training school. The above article in gray is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License It is from Wikipedia article Columbus, Georgia   New! Hometown USA Photo Sharing Photo Galleries These photo galleries are available for you to share, view and post pictures such as: Pictures depicting what life is like in your hometown> Photos of scenes or scenery in your hometown Pictures that you want to share with your friends and family Commercial photos - real estate, store fronts, etc. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Vacation photos to share School academic and sporting event photos Deployed military personal photos to share with friends and family back home. Much more...

Moving Center by Movers.com