History
1897 – 1898
1902 – 1909
1915 – 1919
1919 – 1921
1934
1935
1941 – 1961
1964 – 1972
1980's
1999 – 2000
2008
2010 – Present
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1897 – 1898
Original land purchased by G. Gunby Jordan, John J. Hill, and John F. Hanson. Columbus Power Company was created; W. C. Bradley recruited to join group.
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1902 – 1909
Dam and two powerhouses completed; original mill building opens. The “old village” built, consisting of 101 houses on 40-foot lot and the “girls hotel.”
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1915 – 1919
1,000 feet of length is added to the mill within two separate phases almost doubling the mill. Bibb City School constructed and 27 acres purchased north of the original mill village.
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1919 – 1921
Earle Draper, a Charlotte landscape architect, created a Olmstedian plan for a new village, which featured curvilinear streets, pocket parks, and 160 homesites.
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1934
United Textile Workers of America coordinated a nationwide strike. The strike was not as bitter or protracted in Columbus.
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1935
All mill village houses equipped with electricity, running water and bathrooms.
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1941 – 1961
“Heyday” of Mill about 3,000 workers were employed during this time.
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1964 – 1972
Houses sold when village was divested. Workforce down to 1,400 as automatic machines are introduced.
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1980's
U.S. textile recession, Bibb follows trend. Bibb Company files for bankruptcy. Final day of plant Operations (March 20, 1998).
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1999 – 2000
Buck Investment Company purchases mill complex. Bibb City relinquishes charter, enters the consolidated City of Columbus. Renovations on Mill begin.
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2008
Over 100 years of history was lost when Bibb Manufacturing went up in flames and burned to the ground leaving only the front facade.
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2010 – Present
Conserving what is left of the Cotton Mill, we are currently in the process of turning that space into lush, tranquil outdoor gardens.
