Timeline of Columbus, Georgia

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.