COLUMBIA: The Columbia Historical Society’s monthly meeting this evening was to help us remember that some of the most interesting inventions have roots right here in our own communities. The Historical Society is currently in the process of restoring an old church in Columbia, built in 1902. There are also plans for the old jail, here since the Civil War, to restore the building and artifacts inside.
This evening, the guest speaker was Dr. Martin T. Olliff, director of the Wiregrass Archives and retired history professor at Troy University in Dothan, shared the fascinating history of local inventors and their contributions from the 1880s through World War II.
A beautiful custom painting of the many Columbia landmarks was presented to the Society by local artist, Erin Bentley.
The town of Columbia was Established in 1820, and was once a major center of commerce and steamboat traffic along the Chattahoochee River. The town served as Henry County’s seat from 1826 to 1833 before becoming part of Houston County in 1903.
As railroads replaced river transportation, Columbia adapted through agriculture and industry, including a cotton textile mill established in 1891.
Today, the Columbia Historical Society of Alabama works to preserve the town’s history, historic buildings, artifacts and stories. Founded in 2001, the nonprofit operates a museum at 105 S. Main St. in Columbia, where visitors can learn about the community’s past. The public is always invited to attend meetings the third Monday evening at the Depot on Highway 52 East.
Learn more at, columbiahistoricalsocietyofalabama.org. You may also contact Jane Whitton at jane.whitton44@gmail.com.
