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, 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1866.

Location. 32° 27.371′ N, 84° 59.586′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “The Folly” (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dedicated to the Veterans of 1898 to 1902

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(about 500 feet away); Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (about 600 feet away); Horace King (1807 - 1887) (about 600 feet away); Thomas Greene Bethune (about 600 feet away); Frontier Wars (about 600 feet away); Confederate Boats (about 700 feet away); Confederate Supply (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

John McIlhenny Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, August 25, 2009

2. John McIlhenny Home

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 2,661 times since then and 34 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.