This amazing survivor is located next door to the Pemberton House.
Columbus Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Federal Style House, Circa 1835, Columbus
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Category Archives: –MUSCOGEE COUNTY GA–
Pemberton Country Home, 1860, Columbus
This house served as the residence of Dr. John S. Pemberton from 1860-1869. He moved into this house from the white cottage pictured in the previous post. Originally located four miles north of Columbus, it was relocated here in 1977 to afford it the protection of the Columbus Historic District.
Columbus Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Dr. John S. Pemberton House, 1840, Columbus
Dr. John Stith Pemberton (1831-1888), known worldwide as the inventor of Coca-Cola, was born in Knoxville, Georgia, and raised in Rome. Soon after he received his pharmacy license he married Eliza Crawford Lewis and the couple moved to Columbus. They lived in this house from 1855-1860. I’m unsure if the Greek Revival details are original or a later addition. Wounded in the Battle of Columbus in 1865, Dr. Pemberton in an attempt to alleviate pain became addicted to morphine. In his search for a cure to his addiction came the genesis of Coca-Cola, which Coca-Cola historian Phil Mooney asserts was invented in Columbus, not Atlanta as most assume. The Coca-Cola Company’s website, however, doesn’t concur. Either way, Dr. Pemberton sold the formula soon after he invented it. He died on 16 August 1888 in Atlanta and was returned to Columbus for burial.
National Register of Historic Places
Colonial Revival House, 1900, Columbus
Columbus Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
William Wynn House, 1839, Columbus
When Colonel William Wynn built this stately mansion, it was called Oakview. Colonel Wynn, for whom the Wynnton area of Columbus is named, was an early settler of the Lower Chattahoochee Valley. Henry Hurt bought the house in 1852 but never lived in it, selling it to Hines Holt in 1855. Holt was a prominent attorney, as well as a member of t he U. S. House of Representatives.
In 1905, Tom Cooper purchased the house and moved it closer to Wynnton Road so the property could be subdivided for other development. In 1932 the S. C. Butler family bought and completely restored the house. The Christian Fellowship Association moved into this landmark in 1958. Today it’s operated as a membership-oriented event and entertainment space.
National Register of Historic Places
Tom Darby & Jimmie Tarlton’s “Columbus Stockade Blues”
This postcard came into my possession through the estate of a cousin, who was a great niece of Tom Darby. Largely forgotten today, Thomas P. (Tom) Darby [1892-1971] and James J. (Jimmie) Tarlton [1892-1979] were considered not only legendary bluesmen but pioneers of country music as well. They’ve been called the first country musicians to employ the steel guitar. Their most famous work, “Columbus Stockade Blues”, has been covered by artists ranging from Doc Watson and Willie Nelson to Bill Monroe, Jimmie Davis, and Bob Dylan. When they made the recording for Columbia in Atlanta in November 1927 Tom Darby pressed for a flat payment of $150 but Jimmie Tarlton wanted royalties. The song took off and sold over 200,000 copies in a short time and though the duo recorded 63 more songs dating to 1933, hostilities over lost royalties finally drove them apart. They reunited in 1965 for a symphony appearance in Columbus but no further collaborative recordings were made. Tarlton, always considered the standout of the duo, did make solo recordings in the 1960s. Search Amazon for compilations, which are available and provide valuable insight into the birth of American popular music.
Colwell’s Grocery, Columbus
As of 2016, I’m unsure if this neighborhood grocery is still open. Tom Queen writes: It used to be called Friendly Grocery and was operated by Roger Stinson’s dad. My grandfather operated a garage next to the store until he died in 1969.
Goldens’ Foundry & Machine Company, 1890, Columbus
Five generations of the Golden family have been involved in this legendary business. John Poitevent “Porter” Golden and Theodore Earnest “Theo” Golden founded Golden Brothers in 1882. They were incorporated and renamed Goldens’ Foundry & Machine Company in 1889 and have been in continuous operation ever since. Through expansion and innovation, they’ll likely be around another five generations.
National Register of Historic Places
Top Hat Cafe, 1945, Columbus
Long before “hot chicken” was nationally famous, the Top Hat Cafe in Columbus had a devoted following for their version, a bone-in breast served between two pieces of white bread. The restaurant was a local favorite for over half a century and closed sometime in the past ten years. Ray Charles is said to have been a big fan. After numerous requests Will Dockery wrote: Here it is, the Holy Grail of Fried Chicken, Top Hat…I worked with one of the founders’ daughters and talked her out of the recipe. Prep your chicken the night before 1/2 gal of water, 1/4 cup salt. Submerge and allow to soak over night. 6 cups all purpose flour, 1/2 cup cayenne pepper, 1/2 cup red pepper (flakes), 1/8 cup salt. Add ice water until the consistency of pancake batter is reached. Prepare deep fryer with Crisco solid vegetable shortening, heat to 375 degrees. Drop a small amount of batter into hot shortening and after it floats, taste it. Some like it hot. Some like it hotter. Add equal parts of cayenne pepper and red pepper (flakes) to increase the heat. Drain Chicken from salt bath and pat dry, dip in batter and submerge in hot shortening. Breasts 14 min, thighs 10 min, legs 8 min, wings 6 min. Remove from shortening and allow to drain in a colander or on paper towels. And so it goes.
Chester’s Barbeque, Columbus
A local landmark, Chester’s has great barbeque, ribs, and sides and all of its three locations are usually quite busy. The business was established in 1930 by Jack Chester. Today, they sell over a quarter million pounds of ribs per year.
The service is some of the best around. It’s the first place I ever ate in Columbus.