Here in Columbus, Ga., the home of United Country Real Estate | 5 Rocks Realty, we’re blessed to live in a region with close-knit communities and a balance of both rural and urban areas. We also have an interesting history, and plenty of opportunities to explore the local culture and recreation in the great outdoors.
We help clients buy and sell homes, land and a variety of lifestyle and rural property throughout West-Central Georgia and neighboring East-Central Alabama. However, since our office is located in Columbus (and for the sake of space), this article focuses mostly on our city and the immediate area.
Let’s take a closer look at why so many visitors and new residents alike are drawn to Columbus, Ga., and Muscogee County.
This part of the Southeast was inhabited by native Creek Indians for centuries, but eventually some of America’s earliest cities sprung up. Columbus, Ga., was one such city, founded in 1828.
The easily navigable Chattahoochee River soon became a hub for trading and transportation, which sparked the city’s growth. By the time the Civil War began, Columbus was booming. Already industrially-focused, Columbus turned its production to manufacturing Confederate supplies, and became the second-largest contributor behind Richmond, Va.
The Battle of Columbus occurred on Easter Sunday in 1865. A historical landmark was erected to honor the “Last Land War” of the Civil War. One of the battle’s wounded soldiers was John Stith Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola. Pemberton never saw the influence of his invention though, as he sold the drink to investors (who made a few changes to the recipe) before its popularity. The Coca-Cola Co. brand has boosted the economy, tourism and the history of not only Columbus, but the entire state of Georgia.
The mighty Chattahoochee River is the corner stone to, not only Columbus, but the entire Georgia/Alabama region. From the early days, this river was used for trading and Columbus played a major role as a trading spot in the 19th Century.
Today, the river continues to be a significant source of transportation, but also an amazing waterway for all kinds of recreation … along with providing the perfect backdrop for riverfront real estate. The Chattahoochee in Columbus and surrounding areas has some great fishing spots, stretches for peaceful floating and thrilling whitewater rafting.
At places such as the 9,000-acre FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, Ga., you can hike more than 40 miles of trails through winding timberland and past waterfalls. Camping, horseback riding and seasonal lake swimming are also popular here. Head 1 ½ hours south to Eufaula for Alabama’s Lakepoint State Park to visit the 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula, sometimes called the “Bass Capital of the World.” The park is also good for wildlife and bird watching, picnicking and other activities.
From Columbus, head 45 minutes due north to find Callaway Resort & Gardens a 2,500-acre wonderland of natural beauty, bike trails, excellent golf and the world’s largest man-made white sand beach. And if outdoor adventures aren’t really your thing, there’s always the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, educating students and the public alike on astronomy and space science.
There’s a lot that drives the economy in Georgia, though agriculture, higher education and the military community stand out in particular as far as Columbus and the surrounding areas’ identities.
Columbus is in the middle of two separate geographic regions: the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain. The former is identified by its low hills, narrow valleys and a variety of trees, while the latter is more about pine forests, swamps and flatlands. The diverse terrain makes for a diverse agricultural output, with blueberries and pecans growing in some areas, while onions and cotton thrive in others. You’ll also find poultry and egg farms just about everywhere.
Several universities in the region are also worth noting, including Columbus State University, Mercer School of Medicine in Macon, Ga., and the biggest draw just across the border in Alabama … Auburn University. The school’s student body eclipses 30,000 (as of 2021) and continues to grow.
Since U.S. Army Fort Benning sits next to Columbus, there’s also a sizable military population in the area. Established in 1918, Fort Benning was originally a WWI training center. Today, the base hosts some 120,000 active-duty servicemembers and their families, and it is considered a staple of Columbus, and a source of pride for the community.
Sources: ColumbusGa.gov; Nps.gov; GeorgiaEncyclopedia.org; En.wikipedia.org;Gfb.org; Auburn.edu; GaStateParks.org; AlaPark.com