Baedeker: Columbus, Indiana

Columbus, Indiana is a city of 39,000 people. Beginning in the 1950’s, the Cummins Engine Foundation offered to pay the architect's fee for any new school and public building that was designed by an architect selected from a list supplied by the Foundation. The concept being that "the built environment is crucial to a quality community". What has resulted is a fantastic collection of modern buildings by the likes of Eliel and Eero Saarinen, Harry Weese, Richard Meier, and I.M. Pei to name just a few. One can argue that the city though is no different though than any modern city with its share of suburbia, sprawl, and big box architecture just with a few quality buildings scattered about the landscape. One can argue the Foundation did not go far enough and they potentially had an opportunity to go beyond just nice buildings and influence larger issues of growth and planning. It is a point I understand and feel has validity but I also admire what foresight they did have and how a city of under forty thousand residents has a whole industry based on architecture.

Bartholomew County Courthouse
First Christian ChurchCompleted in 1942, the Eliel Saarinen designed church may not look like much from the outside but the interiors and the play of light are fantastic. It is a National Historic Landmark.

Mill Race ParkOne of the coolest city parks.

First Baptist ChurchCompleted in 1965, this church is by Harry Weese and quite wonderful. Some nice person let me in to snoop around . . . Also a National Historic Landmark.

North Christian ChurchCompleted in 1964 and designed by Eero Saarinen this too is a National Historic Landmark. The grounds are pretty nice but the interior was my least favorite of the three churches.

Irwin Union Bank and Trust Yet another National Historic Landmark. This one was also designed by Eero, completed in 1954. Some point to it as the first bank with glass walls and an open plan.

The Republic
Bartholomew County Veterans Memorial
Author's Note: Baedeker was a German-based travel guide begun in 1827 by Karl Baedeker. These comprehensive guides were hugely popular in Europe, the United States, and throughout the British Empire. I have adopted the moniker for all my travel pieces beyond Cincinnati. Given its German history and stately influence, I thought it fitting for the Queen City.