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Columbus and Trade Territory
November 22, 1916.
Allow us to introduce to you the city of Columbus, Georgia-
Alabama, and its trade territory.
Columbus has been acquiring 2,00 mostly white families
to supply required new labor. Her industries because of
recent and continuing expansion, needed this increase in popu
lation, tlncle Sam in the 1910 census says there are 4%
persons in each family in the United States. Four and one-
half times 2,000, means that within six months the population
of Columbus has increased 9,000, because of industrial develop
ment. According to the city directory the population of Co
lumbus in 1911 was 42,890, in 1915, 47,340, an increase of 1,110
annually. Add the normal yearly increase to 9,000 and the total
to 47,340 and the present population of Columbus is near 60,000.
This population is all within three miles of the city hall in
Columbus. The eity corporate limits embrace less than three
square miles.
The Chattahoochee Kiver flows through the city. About
10,000 people reside on its west bank in the State of Alabama.
This population is divided almost equally by the line between
Lee and Eussell counties. Thus the state line divides the eity
into east and west Columbus and the county line divides west
Columbus into Phenix and Girard Alabama.
What has caused this increase in population?
Columbus has over 100 industries making more than 200
articles. Cotton manufacturing predominates and much of the
development has been caused by prosperity in the textile busi
ness.
Columbus cotton mills have 388,992 spindles and employ over
9,000 people, producing forty million pounds of cotton goods
annually. This is the second cotton manufacturing city in the
South,
Columbus is situated at the head of navigation on the Chattahooehee River—the second
in potential energy in the South—and at the foot of 118,000 twenty-four hour horse power
developed and undeveloped.
Columbus has 65 wholesale and 460 retail establishments.
Columbus is primarily a city of homes. Her streets are among the most beautiful in the
world. Her hotels excellent. Her public schools are a model for many cities, and she was the
first city to incorporate industrial education in the public schools; her Industrial High
School has a national reputation.
The monthly average temperature varies from 46.5 degrees in January to 81.1 degrees in
July, the -yearly average is 65.3 degrees. The monthly rainfall is 2.62 inches in October and
6.25 inches in February. Total 50.31 inches annually. '
When the Civil War broke out, Columbus had a population of 10,000.
Prom 1861 to 1865 Columbus was the scene of many engagements, and the last battle of
the war between the States was fought here. The city was captured by General Wilson, April
16, 1865, and burned after peace had been declared, because of slowness with which news
traveled in those days.
Because of her springs, climate, hotels, Columbus is fast becoming noted as a " stop
over" point for tourists.
Museogee county has the best roads in the South and the Dixie Overland Highway runs
through the county. Tax rate five mills and no debt. The county produces $1,000,000 in agri
cultural crops and her people consume products valued at 3% million dollars showing the oppor
tunity for farming.
Columbus trade territory has a population of 600,000 and the jobbing business amounts
to $55,000,000 annually.
Columbus warehouses have a storage capacity of 60,000 bales of cotton. About 260,000
bales of cotton are shipped to or through Columbus annually. Columbus has a market for all
grains, and manufactures corn into meal, also dry feed for farmers.
The Columbus territory is distinctly agricultural, and diversified farming is fast succeed
ing the single crop. Lands are low in value and conditions excellent for successful farming.
These are but a few outstanding facts. For details and more information secure the Co
lumbus book from
COLUMBUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
224