Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
John McIlhenny Home
Photographed By David Seibert, August 25, 2009
1. John McIlhenny Home Marker
Inscription.
John McIlhenny Home. . John McIlhenny, Civil Engineer, City Council member, and Mayor of Columbus 1873-1874, lived in this house in the 1860’s. Mr. McIlhenny is recognized as the father of the Columbus public school system. Authorized by the Georgia Legislature in December 1866, Columbus’ was the first city-supported school system in the state. Mr. McIlhenny was noted for his invention of the McIlhenny Gas Meter. In 1877, he moved to Philadelphia where his grandson, Henry P. McIlhenny, became a world-renowned art collector. In 1983 the Historic Columbus Foundation moved the house from 944 2nd Ave., to this location because it was threatened by demolition.
John McIlhenny, Civil Engineer, City Council member, and Mayor of Columbus 1873-1874, lived in this house in the 1860’s. Mr. McIlhenny is recognized as the father of the Columbus public school system. Authorized by the Georgia Legislature in December 1866, Columbus’ was the first city-supported school system in the state. Mr. McIlhenny was noted for his invention of the McIlhenny Gas Meter. In 1877, he moved to Philadelphia where his grandson, Henry P. McIlhenny, became a world-renowned art collector. In 1983 the Historic Columbus Foundation moved the house from 944 2nd Ave., to this location because it was threatened by demolition.
Erected 1985 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc.
Location. 32° 27.371′ N, 84° 59.586′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Marker is on Broadway, 0 miles south of 6th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 524 Broadway, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,069 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
