Introduction to Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city located in Georgia's Muscogee County. Situated in the west central part of the state near the Alabama state line, Columbus lies about 90 miles southwest of Georgia's capital (Atlanta) and approximately 80 miles east of the city of Montgomery, Alabama. Columbus is serviced by Interstate I-185 and also by U.S. Routes 27, 80, 280, and 431.
Known as the Fountain City for the numerous fountains installed there early in the 20th century, Columbus is also the birthplace of Coca Cola and the home of Columbus State University. Fort Benning Military Reservation, a premiere U.S. Army training facility and the region's principal employer, is located in Columbus, which is also the corporate headquarters of many companies such as AFLAC Insurance and Carmike Cinemas.
Once the site of a Creek Indian Village, Columbus was established in 1828 as a trading post to strengthen Georgia's western border. Named after Christopher Columbus, the city became one of the most significant industrial centers of the South in the mid 19th century, owing to its prominence in the textile industry. In later years, Columbus underwent modernization and a training camp for soldiers was established in the area. Known at the time as Camp Benning, the camp would later evolve into the present day Fort Benning. During the latter part of the 20th century, the city experienced a significant period of urban renewal and revitalization. This effort has resulted in a welcome expansion of commercial activity which is still ongoing today.
Columbus Places of Interest
Columbus offers its visitors and residents a wide variety of fine attractions. The Port Columbus Civil War Naval Museum, the nation's only Civil War naval museum, is a living structure which chronicles the Civil War era. The National Infantry Museum contains a large collection of military art and artifacts and focus on the role of the American Infantryman through two centuries of valor. Some of the other notable attractions in the city include the following:
- Coca-Cola Space Science Center: Includes replicas of an Apollo capsule and Space Shuttle
- Heritage Corner: Features the birthplace of Coca-Cola
- Andersonville: The former Camp Sumter, once the largest of the Confederate military prisons
- Little Whitehouse: Built by future President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 while governor of New York
- F.D. Roosevelt State Park: A 10,000-acre park located on Pine Mountain
- Warm Springs Village: A Victorian village with more than 65 shops
- Westville: An authentically restored 1850s village which depicts life in pre-industrial Georgia
- Springer Opera House
- Callaway Gardens
- Columbus Museum
- Oxbow Meadows
- Pine Mountain Wild Animal Safari
- Providence Canyon
Columbus is home to two professional sports teams. The Columbus Catfish are a Class A minor league baseball team playing in the South Atlantic League. The Catfish are affiliated with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Columbus Cottonmouths are a professional ice hockey team who play their home games at Columbus Civic Center. The "Mouths" are members of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). Columbus is also notable for being the home of the 2006 Little League World Champions. The city's team represented the state of Georgia in the tournament and defeated the team from Japan in August, 2006 to capture the championship of the 60th Little League Baseball World Series.
