Columbus, Indiana is a small city located in the east central part of the state with a population of 46,000 according to 2019 estimates. Located along National Road and White River, Columbus has been known for its modern architectural designs since the mid 1900s. It is home to some amazing buildings designed by renowned architects such as Eero Saarinen, I.M Pei, Robert Venturi & Denise Scott Brown and Richard Meier.
The city’s roots go back to 1821 when it was founded as Tiptonia on land given to World War veteran John Tipton by President James Madison. In 1812 he had received 1/2 acre of land from former president Thomas Jefferson under the provisions of The Donation Land Act which granted veterans 320 acres or more depending on their rank and service time. After being renamed “Columbus” in 1827 after Christopher Columbus, it began developing into one of America’s great cities due to its location at the confluence of two major rivers – White River and East Fork White River – creating an ideal environment for industry and commerce.
Today, Columbus remains an attractive destination for tourists looking for unique architecture and historical sites like Mill Race Park, where visitors can enjoy scenic views while learning about local history through interpretive displays; Hope Family House Museum showcasing artifacts related to life during early settlement; Central Middle School Historic District featuring examples of Italianate architecture; Bartholomew County Courthouse built in 1893; City Hall completed in 1895; Irwin Union Bank Building constructed in 1906; First Christian Church built 1907-1908 among many others.