| In the central or “downtown” section, the Chattahoochee Promenade has a number of Gazebos, and the Coca Cola Space Science Center (shown in background) has numerous educational programs and a planetarium. |
| A formal garden with fountain stands behind a charming cottage now used as headquarters of Keep Columbus Beautiful. Through the garden gate is the green space where Arts on the River was held in 2007. |
| Heritage Park follows 7th Street from Broadway to Front Avenue. With bronze sculptures and fountains, it depicts the heritage of the city of Columbus. |
| On a bluff overlooking the river are Civil War cannon and gazebos with historical markers. |
| Two blocks from the river on Broadway is RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. In the median in front of the building is a water sculpture titled “Schauss Spiel” which translates from the German as “Drama”. |
| Behind the historic homes of Heritage Corner is a recreation of John Pemberton’s pharmacy in which he reportedly developed the formula for Coca-Cola. This reconstructed well stands in the courtyard, with the pharmacy behind it. |
| 700 Broadway is one of the few surviving 2 story brick Victorian houses in what is now known as “The District”. For years it served as headquarters for the Historic Columbus Foundation, and now houses the Junior League of Columbus. |
| . Nearly all of the Original Historic District has been renovated, with many of the homes having been moved to The District from other locations in the city. Incentive loans are available to encourage occupancy and renovations. |
| . . Once the hub of transportation in Columbus, Union Station saw most of the arrivals and departures in the city. With the advent of other forms of transport, it eventually closed and fell into disuse. To the rescue was TSYS, who renovated and restored the building to its former glory and used it as offices until it was taken over by the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and is commonly referred to as the Depot. |
| Downtown Broadway has been undergoing a Streetscapes project for several years. On 12th Street stands the Columbus Ledger- Enquirer building, the daily newspaper for the city and surrounding areas. Sometimes lovingly called the 12th Street Rag by dissenters, it has in it’s history a Pulitzer Prize. |
| . The State Theatre of Georgia, the 1871 Springer Opera House, is one of the best live theater venues in the Southeast. Renovated in 1999 to mimic the 1906 restoration, tours of the facility are available. Nearly razed in the 1960’s, it was saved by a dedicated group of preservationists, and has a large following. |
| The 1839 Goetchius House was moved to its current location on southern Broadway near the river. It operates as a restaurant, with a patio and courtyard overlooking the river. Just a little south is the South Commons with Golden Park, the Civic Center, and a notable softball complex. |
| Ornate columns can be seen throughout the Springer Opera House. This is following the most recent renovation of the 1800’s structure. |
| On the grounds of the Columbus Museum are the Olmstead Gardens, in a constant state of preservation and renewal. This fountain is in the wooded area surrounded by azalea trails. |
| Behind the old Bradley Library, now a School District building, are more of the gardens similar to those of the Museum across the street. Many a wedding photo has used this bridge over a pond as a backdrop. |
| The Columbus Museum, once the plantation home of W.C. Bradley now shows little of it’s former self. Donated for use as a museum, it has been rebuilt to become a premier art and history museum. Atop Wynn’s Hill in the Wynnton area, is the Wynn House, which is also available for tours. |
| Our neighbor to the south, Fort Benning, is known as the Home of the Infantry. A new Infantry Museum is being constructed near the post boundaries, across from Oxbow Meadows and the South Riverwalk. This Ranger Memorial, near Infantry Hall (Building 4) was constructed with donations from many former Rangers. Bricks bear the names of those who served as Rangers. The tall bayonet at the end of the walk commemorates those Rangers over the decades. |
| In Sacrifice Field, across from the Building 396, (formerly the Infantry Museum and former Post Hospital), stand numerous monuments to units that fought in many wars. This memorial is to the “K-9” units; the War Dogs and their handlers who performed an outstanding yet often unrecognized service. |
| Airborne Walk is behind Infantry Hall, with Jump Towers where trainees work to get their Wings. World War II planes and historical markers line the Walk. |
ALL PHOTOS by LOIS TRYON, Columbus, GA