Columbus, Indiana (pop. 50,474; met. area pop. 82,208), is internationally known as a showplace of modern architecture. The city has more than 50 buildings designed by prominent architects. Columbus lies on the East Fork of the White River in the south-central part of the state. It is the headquarters of Cummins Inc., a manufacturer of diesel engines.
Modern architecture began in Columbus in 1942 with the completion of the Tabernacle Church of Christ (now First Christian Church). The building, designed by Finnish-born architect Eliel Saarinen, drew attention as one of the first modern churches in the United States.
Saarinen had originally turned down the commission, offered to him by church member Nettie Irwin Sweeney Miller, niece of Cummins founder William G. Irwin. But Mrs. Miller’s son, J. Irwin Miller, met with Saarinen and persuaded him to accept the commission. Miller became friends with Eero Saarinen, the architect’s son, who often accompanied his father to Columbus as work progressed on the building.
In 1954, Miller commissioned Eero Saarinen, by then an acclaimed architect himself, to design a new building for the Irwin Union Bank. Miller, who was at that time Cummins chairman of the board and chief executive officer, also established the Cummins Engine Foundation architecture program to enable Columbus to maintain a tradition of high-quality architecture. The foundation offered to pay architect fees for the design of new public school buildings in Columbus if architects were chosen from a list of foundation recommendations. The program was expanded to include other public buildings. In addition to schools, the Cummins program has provided architect fees for a city hall, fire stations, a library, and other buildings.
Today, in addition to buildings by the Saarinens, Columbus includes structures designed by Richard Meier, I. M. Pei, Cesar Pelli, Robert Venturi, and other prominent architects. A plaza in front of the public library features a sculpture by Henry Moore, perhaps the greatest English sculptor of the 1900’s. Robert Trent Jones designed, and his son Rees Jones later added to, the famed Otter Creek Golf Course near Columbus. Many people visit the city to take architectural walking and driving tours.
Columbus was founded in 1821 and incorporated as a city in 1854. It is the seat of Bartholomew County. Columbus has a mayor-council form of government.
