Columbus High School - Cohiscan Yearbook (Columbus, GA)

Page 13 text:

in piring influence, by many to be the real inventor of the telegraph. Mr. Morse, an itenerant painter, announced his invention soon after visiting Mr. Ingersoll. Dr. Pemberton, a Co- lumbus druggist, originated the formula for Coca-Cola in his home on Hamilton Road. ln 1916, the Coca-Cola bottle was designed to resemble the hobble skirt. Education was an important influence. Columbus had the first public school system established by a muni- cipality in the south. It was begun in 1867. Columbus is the home of the oldest operating elementary school in the state. Today the city boasts 49 grammar schools, 4 junior high schools, 4 high schools, and a junior college. Along with the influence of commerce and educa- tion, another influence soon appeared. The St. Luke Meth- odist Church and the First Baptist Church were founded in 1829. Confederate Memorial Day Services were held here on August 26, 1866, in the St. Luke Church. Commerce, religion, and the need for education are influences upon the city, but at the same time, the students of our school are a definite influence upon the city's religion, commerce and education. 9

Page 12 text:

8 The clanking, monotonous grating of the whirling machines resounds throughout the city day and night, but the muddy Chattahoochee, softened by moonlight, reflects these industries flourishing as a result of its force. Too often it is forgotten that we are a river city and how vital the Chattahoochee is to us. It is not just a muddy stream, whose only claim to recognition lies in poetry, but an abiding and essential part of our being. Augusta Evans Wilson, considered by many to be the greatest woman literary character ever produced by the South, was born in the city on the river. Nun- nally Johnson, a Columbus-born author and playwright, has achieved fame in Hollywood. Columbusites began the Chamber of Commerce, or Board of Trade, as it was originally known, in 1845. The Columbus Fire Department is older than the city government. Five years before the city government was begun, a fire department was organized. Definite achievements in business were made by many Columbusites. A Columbus man was first credited with having the idea of a sewing machine, but he failed to patent it. Stephen Ingersoll of Columbus was thought reflec s an Y.

Page 14 text:

0 Throughout the years the Chattahoochee River has widened and deepened its course as it flows through our state, sometimes lazily, sometimes ragingly. lt has opened many new channels for itself. Also the people of Georgia have had their horizons broadened and new channels opened for them as a result of this mighty river. The first few boats that plied their way to our city have long since ceased their journeys. Soon the most modern ships will stop here. ,lust as these pioneer boats will soon give way to larger and more modern discoveries, so will the students of Columbus High School benefit from larger and more modern ideas. Completion of a series of dams spanning the Chattahoochee below Columbus is scheduled by late 1961 or the first of 1962. This will provide a navigable chan- nel from Columbus to the Gulf of Mexico. This channel will be 100 feet wide and 9 feet deep. The new people and industries that will come to our city as a result of this channel will bring new ideas and opportunities to the city's residents. To provide a place for the cultural growth of our city, a municipal auditorium was erected in 1957. The cost of this was between S900,000 and 315700,000. Mayor B. F. Register was the one to whom the auditorium was dedicated. The Bradley Memorial Library was moved to Bradley Drive in 1950. A beautiful building was built to accommodate this center of knowledge. The library offers 182,998 books to help us broaden our interests. Columbus High School made its first appearance in Wildwood Park in 1926. Sixteen acres of land were set aside for the school and a sum of 3500,000 was pro- vided for the buildings and equipment. That building is still in use and a wing has been added to accommodate the increasing number of students attending the school. Also, a gymnasium enlarged the school. These additions were completed in 1955. Looking back we see that the Chattahoochee River waters contributed the power for our city to grow. The provided the beginning for Columbus. Its turbulent river continues its influence by opening newer and broader vistas for Columbus, its residents and students. ln return the students will soon pilot the industries of our city. th ll rushes onward to