Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
“Columbus Stockade Blues”
Photographed by David Seibert, April 30, 2011
1. “Columbus Stockade Blues” Marker
“Way Down in Columbus, Georgia,
Wanna be back in Tennessee,
Way down in Columbus Stockade,
Friends have turned their back on me.”
The “Columbus Stockade Blues” by Thomas Darby and Jimmie Tarlton, was written and recorded in 1927. Many famous artists have since played the song in band, jazz, blue grass, country, and blues arrangements. These two brick buildings served as jail and police headquarters from the 1850’s to 1906. Then the buildings were joined and appear today much as they did when the song was written. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Erected 1985 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Historic Columbus Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 32° 27.879′ N, 84° 59.027′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. It is at the intersection of 10st Street and Seventh Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 10st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 10th Street, 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
this page online
Regarding “Columbus Stockade Blues”. One version of the complete text is:
Way down in Columbus, Georgia
I want to be back in Tennessee
Way down in Columbus Stockade
Friends have turned their back on me.
Go and leave me if you wish to
Never let me cross your mind
If in your heart you love another
Leave me darling, I don't mind.
Last night as I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
When I awoke I was mistaken
I was peeking through the bars.
Photographed by David Seibert, April 30, 2011
2. “Columbus Stockade Blues” Marker
Looking east on 10th Street
Photographed by David Seibert, April 30, 2011
3. “Columbus Stockade Blues” Marker and Columbus Stockade
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 5,158 times since then and 156 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 3, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
