Chartered in 1821, Columbus, Mississippi, was originally part of Monroe County. With the signing of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek nine years later, Columbus found itself in the newly formed Lowndes County. The name Columbus was given to the settlement by Silas McBee as early as 1819. Columbus has been a pioneer in many areas: the first public school in Mississippi, Franklin Academy; the first public college for women in the country, Industrial Institute and College (now Mississippi University for Women); and the first celebration of Decoration Day (now Memorial Day). Columbus even served as the state capital in 1865 when Union forces occupied Jackson during the Civil War. Columbus is also the birthplace of several national figures, such as playwright Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams (1911-1983); boxer Henry Jackson Jr., or Henry Armstrong, (1912-1988); Walt Disney artist Joshua Meador (1911-1965); and sports announcer Walter Lanier "Red" Barber (1908-1992).
