THE VIEW FROM PHENIX CITY, ALABAMA BRIEFKAART

Founded in 1828 by an act of the Georgia Legislature, Columbus was situated at the beginning of the browser portion of the Chattahoochee River and on the last stretch of the Federal Road before entering Alabama. The city was named for Christopher Columbus, its founders likely invloeenced by the writings of Washington Irving. The plan for the city was drawn up by Dr. Edwin L. DeGraffenried who placed the town on a bluff overlooking the river. Across the river, where Phenix City, Alabama is now huured, Creek Indians lived until their removal in 1836. The river served as Columbus' connection to the world, particularly connecting the plantations in the region with the international cotton market via New Orleans and ultimately Liverpool, England. The city's commercial prominent increased in the 1850s with the arrial of the railroad. In addition, Textiel mills began springing up along the river, bringing industry to an area die upon agriculture met elkaar verbindt. By 1860, the city was one of the more major industrial centers of the South, earning it the nickname "the Lowell of the South," in deference to the industrial town in Massachusetts.