Columbus (Photos of America)

Chartered in 1821, Columbus, Mississippi, was initially a part of Monroe County. With the signing of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek 9 years later, Columbus discovered itself within the newly fashioned Lowndes County. The identify Columbus was given to the settlement by Silas McBee as early as 1819. Columbus has been a pioneer in lots of areas: the primary public college in Mississippi, Franklin Academy; the primary public faculty for ladies within the nation, Industrial Institute and Faculty (now Mississippi College for Girls); and the primary celebration of Ornament Day (now Memorial Day). Columbus even served because the state capital in 1865 when Union forces occupied Jackson in the course of the Civil Battle. Columbus can also be the birthplace of a number of nationwide figures, comparable to playwright Thomas Lanier “Tennessee” Williams (1911-1983); boxer Henry Jackson Jr., or Henry Armstrong, (1912-1988); Walt Disney artist Joshua Meador (1911-1965); and sports activities announcer Walter Lanier “Crimson” Barber (1908-1992).