Posted in Indiana Attractions June 07, 2022 by

There Are 3 Must-See Historic Landmarks In The Charming Town Of Columbus, Indiana

If you are in the mood to feast your eyes on some stimulating, architecturally designed historic landmarks, there are three must-see historic landmarks in Columbus, Indiana, that are awaiting your attention. It is the architecture in Columbus that made this city famous, and there are so many amazing points of interest in town! Find out why this interesting place earned the national rank of “6” for innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects. Come visit and enjoy these structures and works of modern art, by such respected artists as I.M. Pei, Robert A.M. Stern, Eero Saarinen, and Henry Moore. 

This unbelievable piece of art is located inside the Columbus Area Visitors Center. Containing 900 hand-blown elements in shades of vibrant yellow, the 9-foot-tall chandelier is 6-feet at its widest span, weighing 1,200 pounds. And yes — it is free to view.
Columbus Visitors Center, 506 5th St, Columbus, IN 47201, USA
Barb J/TripAdvisor
This unbelievable piece of art is located inside the Columbus Area Visitors Center. Containing 900 hand-blown elements in shades of vibrant yellow, the 9-foot-tall chandelier is 6-feet at its widest span, weighing 1,200 pounds. And yes — it is free to view.
Folks on this tour are visiting Henry Moore's large arch, an inviting accompaniment to the First Christian Church, designed in 1942, by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, as one of the first modern-style churches in America. Guided tour information is available at Columbus Area Visitors Center. Tour dates vary by seasons, and reservations are helpful.
First Christian Church, 531 5th St, Columbus, IN 47201, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
In addition to the art, fans of mid-century modernism architecture will find Columbus is a haven, showcasing some of the finest modern architecture.
While there are so many, the first National Historic Landmark featured in this article is The Republic, a newspaper publishing house designed by Myron Goldsmith of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Built in 1971, it is the youngest architectural National Historic Landmark ever designated.
The Republic 333 second Street Columbus
Nyttend, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Even the lawn was a forethought, with carefully placed honey locust trees made to align and interact with the building's bays.
The glass exterior allows people to see inside the one-story building, which is an aluminum and steel frame, on a low concrete foundation.
Don47203, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The newspaper relocated in 2016, when Southeastern Indiana Medical Holdings purchased it for $2.8M. In 2018, it was sold to the Indiana University Foundation Inc. for $2.8 million.
The second landmark was managed by an Architectural Committee formed in November of 1958, that chose the talented Eero Saarinen as architect of this North Christian Church. He is the son of architect Eliel Saarinen, designer of the above First Christian Church.
North Christian Church, 850 Tipton Ln, Columbus, IN 47201, USA
Nancy Aurand-Humpf/Wikimedia Commons
Some of this artist's great accomplishments include the Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., the General Motors Technical Center near Detroit, and the TWA Terminal in New York City.
In an excerpt, by Eero, of his work on the church, he explains his thinking of elevating the sanctuary and creating the oculus in the spire. “It could give intense light on the communion table,” he said.
Nancy Aurand-Humpf, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
In addition, the impressive and exquisitely designed pipe organ is one of the last instruments designed by Walter Holtkamp Sr. After his death, the project was completed by his son, Walter Jr., who installed the masterpiece in 1964.
The Irwin Miller House is a mid-century modern home also designed by Eero. It was commissioned in 1953 by American industrialist J. Irwin Miller and his wife Xenia Simons Miller. This flat-roofed, open and flowing layout, has stone and glass walls.
Miller House, Columbus, IN 47201, USA
Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons
The home's interior has four nonpublic areas, branching from central space and featuring a conversation pit.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Miller_house%2C_Columbus%2C_Indiana%2C_1953-57._Living_area_from_terrace_-_00351v.jpg
The four branches include bedrooms, servants' rooms, and kitchen and laundry spaces.

As one can see, the beautiful city of Columbus, Indiana, is impactful when it comes to design and beauty. And while you’re there, take in some of the other National Historic Landmarks, such as Irwin Union Bank and Trust, also designed by Eero Saarinen; Mabel McDowell Elementary School, designed by John Carl Warnecke; or the First Baptist Church, designed by architect Harry Weese. Have a great time, get inspired, and bring back some memories of the lovely historic landmarks in Columbus, Indiana.

Address: The Republic 333 second Street Columbus
Address: First Christian Church, 531 5th St, Columbus, IN 47201, USA
Address: Columbus Visitors Center, 506 5th St, Columbus, IN 47201, USA
Address: North Christian Church, 850 Tipton Ln, Columbus, IN 47201, USA
Address: Miller House, Columbus, IN 47201, USA