Columbus
Around Columbus
Photo: Photo by Greg Hume (Greg5030) · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Indiana · 84k people
Columbus
“Athens of the Prairie”
Where design meets down-home.
Cummins redFlag blue
Welcome to Columbus, where modern architecture meets small-town charm. Whether you're here for the trails, the ice cream, or the friendly faces, you'll find a community that's proud of its quirks. Settle in and make yourself at home.
Clubs for Columbus
No clubs for Columbus yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Columbus. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Columbus. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- The Commons Glass pyramid and gathering space in the heart of downtown.
- Mill Race Park Scenic park along the East Fork White River with a lookout tower.
- Columbus Visitors Center Modernist building showcasing the city's architectural heritage.
- Bartholomew County Courthouse Historic courthouse with a distinctive clock tower.
- Cleo Rogers Memorial Library I.M. Pei-designed public library.
- Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor Iconic 1900s soda fountain and ice cream shop.
- Outdoors Bike or walk the People Trails
- Outdoors Fish or kayak at Mill Race Park
- With kids Visit Kidscommons Children's Museum
- With kids Take a family bike ride on the People Trails
- Evenings Catch live music at The Commons
- Evenings Sip cocktails at a downtown lounge
- Locals love Architectural walking tours
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Bartholomew County 4-H Fair July County fair with livestock, rides, and food.
- Mill Race Marathon September Annual marathon and half-marathon through town.
- Columbus Farmers Market May through October Weekly market with local produce and crafts.
- Music in the Park Summer Summer concert series at local parks.
- The Commons Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts at The Commons.
Columbus has four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Zah's”
- Short for Zaharakos, the historic ice cream parlor.
- “The Commons”
- The downtown public square.
- “People Trails”
- The city's multi-use trail system.
- “The Mill Race”
- Mill Race Park.
Getaways
- Bloomington College town with music, arts, and outdoor recreation.
- Madison Historic river town with shops and scenic views.
- Indianapolis Big city with museums, sports, and dining.
- Seymour Small town with a charming downtown.
Local flavour
Rooting for Indiana Hoosiers, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Indians
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A Hoosier classic, often served with pickles and mustard.
- Sugar cream pie Indiana's state pie, a simple custard pie.
- Persimmon pudding A regional dessert made from wild persimmons.
Where people go
- Modernist architectural landmarks Buildings like the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library and the Commons.
- Historic ice cream parlors Old-fashioned soda fountains and sweet shops.
- Riverfront parks The White River and Mill Race Park offer scenic trails.
- Small-town festivals
Heritage and traditions
Columbus is proud of its extraordinary collection of modernist architecture, a gift of the Cummins Foundation that brought world-famous architects to design public buildings in this small Midwestern city. It also cherishes its strong community spirit and the blend of industry, culture, and outdoor life along the East Fork White River.
Say it like a local: “pop” — A carbonated soft drink.
Festivals
- Ethnic Expo September A celebration of the area's diverse cultures with food, music, and crafts from around the world.
- Scottish Festival and Highland Games June Pipes, drums, athletic competitions, and dancing celebrating Scottish heritage.
Landmarks with a story
- First Christian Church Designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1957, a landmark of modernist church architecture.
- North Christian Church Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1964, another architectural masterpiece.
- Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum Preserves the history of the county and its people.
- Irwin Gardens A beautifully landscaped garden associated with the Irwin family.
Music and arts
- Columbus Indiana Philharmonic A professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Modernist architecture as public art The city's buildings by Saarinen, Pei, and others form a unique outdoor collection.
- Columbus Area Arts Council Fosters local visual and performing arts.
A little history
- 1919 Clessie Cummins founded the Cummins Engine Company, which became a global leader in diesel engines.
- 1957 The Cummins Foundation began commissioning designs from renowned architects for public buildings, transforming the city's landscape.
- 1800s German immigrants settled in Bartholomew County, contributing to the area's agricultural and cultural heritage.
- 1942 Atterbury Army Airfield was established, later becoming a training base during WWII and now a museum.
Rivalries
- Columbus East vs. Columbus North high school football Cross-town rivalry with big crowds.
- Game day High school football rivalry
- Game day Cycling on the People Trails
- Outdoors Explore the modernist architecture on foot
- Outdoors Take a guided architecture tour
- With kids Attend the Ethnic Expo
- With kids Visit the Bartholomew County Historical Society
Residents speak with a typical Hoosier accent, part of the Midland American dialect. They say 'pop' for soda and use 'you guys' for a group.
Only here
- The Cummins Foundation architecture program that brought famous architects to design public buildings.
- The People Trails, a network of over 30 miles of paved trails connecting the city.
- The Mill Race, a historic waterway that powered early mills.
- The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum at a former WWII military base.
New here? A few tips
- Take a self-guided architecture tour to see the famous buildings.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and cold winters.
- Get to know the People Trails for recreation.
- Support local businesses in the historic downtown.
- Learn about Cummins, the major employer.
Make this page better
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Part of Indianapolis area
Nearby
Every areaSeymourIndianaWhere the railroad meets the riverGreensburgIndianaWhere the tree grows on the courthouseBloomingtonIndianaWhere limestone meets hoosier heart.ScottsburgIndianaWhere the river winds through Hoosier hillsRushvilleIndianaWhere the heartland meets the horizon.BatesvilleIndianaWhere the hills meet the river, and everyone knows your name.BedfordIndianaLocal rooms for Bedford.MadisonIndianaA river town with a storied past.
Columbus, IN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.