Columbus, IN

Anna Lee had read an article about a small midwest town known for its architecture but she could neither find the article nor remember the name of the town.  In a conversation with her cousin Barbara, known for suggesting good places to visit, Barbara mentioned Columbus, IN and its architecture.  The bulb finally went on in Anna Lee’s brain and she knew they were talking about the same town. 

This really is a unique town that has a right to brag about its architecture.  Its motto is, "Unexpected, Unforgetable.”

But first a tidbit of trivia.  The town was originally named Tiptonia after General Tipton.  In 1921 the town chose to change its name to Columbus.  Tipton was so mad he left.  He also got even.  When he was highway commissioner he built the first bypass ever.  It went around Columbus.

Another interesting point for RV owners.  Columbus is home to Cummins Engines, which power many motorhomes including ours.  Here is a picture of a nice clean new one.

In Cummins headquarters, stands the Exploded Engine by Rudolph de Harak.

 Now back to the architecture.  As mentioned above, Cummins is the key employer in town.  M. Irwin Miller, head of Cummins, lived in the middle of town in a lovely Italianate brick house with a rather fancy yard.

A church was to be built across the street from his home.  As an art patron, Irwin wanted a building to enjoy looking at so he persuaded Eleil Saarinen to design the church.  This was in 1942.

Next, Eleil’s son Eero designed the headquarters for the Irwin Union Bank.

Miller realized that in order to bring top talent to his company he would have to help the town to be worthy of them.  He liked what Winston Churchill said, “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.”

When the school district wanted to built new schools, he offered the School Board a unique opportunity.  He would pay for the architectural designs if the Board would build the schools.  He made sure the designs were within the Boards budget.  This is one of several specially designed schools in the town.

More buildings followed making Columbus, with a population of 45,000, the 6th in the nation for architectural innovation and design.  Smithsonian Magazine called the town a “veritable museum of modern architecture.”  Names like I. M. Pei, Henry Moore, Dale Chihuly and the Saarinens are all over town on buildings and as public art. After getting a map at the Visitors Center and watching a brief video on the history of architecture in the town, we went out to enjoy this incomparable town.

The County Jail by Don M. Hisaka

The County Courthouse by Isaac Hodgson

The Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans by Thompson & Rose

The ATT Switching Station by Paul Cannon

Columbus East High School by Mitchell-Giurgola

The Commons by Koetter Kim & Assoc.  (this is a great place for kids)

Chaos 1 inside the Commons by Jean Tinguely

Crack the Whip by Joe Saylors stands in a park

Even bicycle racks have a local connection.  The signature C is all over town.

Cummins has even tried its hand at racing.  This Cummins diesel participated in the 1934 Indy 500 race.  It did not do too well because it was made as a two cycle engine to reduce weight.

We left Columbus over the Robert N. Stewart bridge.

We then drove from Columbia, IN to Columbus Township, MO where we enjoyed a delicious anniversary dinner at Sycamore and walked around looking at more urban sculpture.  When Yahoo was asked how many cities are named Columbus, the answer was “a lot.”