Fast Facts About Columbus

Here’s why visitors often find Columbus to be one of the most “unexpected” cities they’ve ever visited and why many decide to relocate their family or business in Columbus.

The Basics

Columbus, Indiana is ranked sixth in the nation for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects, right behind Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
Columbus has hundreds of acres in a city park system ranked number one in the country by the National Recreation and Park Association for cities the size of Columbus. Parks feature such unusual facilities as an ice skating rink, a skateboard park, an observation tower, and an ivy-covered tunnel, as well as the more typical, yet fun, activities such as fishing, walking, hiking, and biking.
Many sites in the downtown are listed with the National Register of Historic Places. In a highly unusual move, the even more exclusive National Historic Landmarks Program honored the city by accepting six locations simultaneously.
Read about more accolades and awards.
Columbus is also home to NASCAR racing champion Tony Stewart and Chuck Taylor, among others. Read more about them on the notable natives page

A Little History

The land which is now Columbus was bought by General John Tipton and Luke Bonesteel in 1820. General Tipton built a log cabin on Mt. Tipton, a small hill overlooking White River, and the surrounding flat, heavily forested, and swampy valley.
The town was known as Tiptona, named in honor of General Tipton. The town’s name was changed to Columbus on March 20, 1821. Bartholomew County was named in 1821 for General Joseph Bartholomew, who fought in the Battle of Tippecanoe.