Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mildred L. Terry Branch Library

Photographed By David Seibert, April 17, 2004

1. Mildred L. Terry Branch Library Marker

Inscription. The first public library for African Americans in segregated Columbus, the Colored/Fourth Avenue Library, opened on January 5, 1953. The existence of this facility resulted from covenants and restrictions barring the use of the city’s new public library by African Americans. The project was completed with expenditures of less than one hundred thousand dollars. The library was renamed the Mildred L. Terry Branch in 1981 to honor its first librarian.

Erected 2003 by The Georgia Historical Society, Kendrick High School Young Historians, Muscogee County Friends of Libraries, Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library System, and Historic Columbus Foundation. (Marker Number 106-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1914.

Location. 32° 27.474′ N, 84° 59.246′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Marker is on Veterans Parkway (U.S. 27) 0 miles north of 6th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Spencer House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fourth Street Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); “Ma" Rainey Home (approx. ¼ mile away); “The Folly” (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Pemberton House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pemberton Cottage (approx. 0.3 miles away); Friendship Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sarah Turner Butler Heritage Corner (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Photographed By David Seibert, August 25, 2009

2. Mildred L. Terry Branch Library Marker

The marker and library, looking west on 4th Street toward the Chattahoochee River and Alabama

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,566 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 2, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on September 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.