Columbia in Houston County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Columbia, Alabama
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 1, 2014
1. Columbia, Alabama Marker
Inscription.
Columbia, Alabama. . Founded in 1820, Columbia was originally located about a mile south, near where the Omussee Creek flows into the Chattahoochee River. It served as the county seat of Henry County from 1826 to 1833. Bordering the State of Georgia and the Chattahoochee River, Columbia was a major port-of-call for steamboats and was known to many as “Old Columbia.” The town was incorporated in 1880 and was the center of education, culture, commerce, and trade. Located in the southeast corner of Alabama, Columbia was the largest town in the area during the 19th century and remains one of the area’s oldest continuously operating municipalities. When the railroad came in 1889, Columbia’s river trade diminished; however, Columbia sustained itself as a thriving farming community through the mid-20th century. Columbia received its first cotton textile mill in 1891 and its first electric plant in 1892. A branch of the Henry County Courthouse was located here from 1889 until Columbia became part of Houston County in 1903. Columbia got electric street lights in 1900 and its first electric utility company in 1914.
Founded in 1820, Columbia was originally located about a mile south, near where the Omussee Creek flows into the Chattahoochee River. It served as the county seat of Henry County from 1826 to 1833. Bordering the State of Georgia and the Chattahoochee River, Columbia was a major port-of-call for steamboats and was known to many as “Old Columbia.” The town was incorporated in 1880 and was the center of education, culture, commerce, and trade. Located in the southeast corner of Alabama, Columbia was the largest town in the area during the 19th century and remains one of the area’s oldest continuously operating municipalities. When the railroad came in 1889, Columbia’s river trade diminished; however, Columbia sustained itself as a thriving farming community through the mid-20th century. Columbia received its first cotton textile mill in 1891 and its first electric plant in 1892. A branch of the Henry County Courthouse was located here from 1889 until Columbia became part of Houston County in 1903. Columbia got electric street lights in 1900 and its first electric utility company in 1914.
Erected 2010 by the Alabama Tourism Department and the Town of Columbia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
Location. 31° 17.562′ N, 85° 6.704′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Alabama, in Houston County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street and West Church Street (Alabama Route 52), on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Located at southwest corner of intersection in a small park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: South Main Street, Columbia AL 36319, United States of America. Touch for directions.
6. Columbia Volunteer Fire/Rescue down the street.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 937 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 2, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
