COLUMBIA CITY, IN — Visitors entering downtown Columbia City will now have a new reminder of the history surrounding them.
Ten new signs celebrating Columbia City’s historic downtown were installed Friday near the main entrances to downtown as part of a partnership between Columbia City Connect and the City of Columbia City.
The signs recognize downtown Columbia City’s designation on the National Register of Historic Places and invite residents and visitors to take a closer look at the buildings, streetscapes and stories that make the downtown district unique.
Columbia City Connect funded the signs, while the City of Columbia City handled their installation.
“Downtown Columbia City is one of the things that makes our community special,” said Niki Keister, Executive Director of Columbia City Connect. “These signs are a simple way to recognize that history and help people understand that the buildings they see every day are part of something bigger.”
Downtown Columbia City was added to the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its historic architecture and importance to the community. The designation recognizes the district’s collection of historic commercial buildings and its role in Columbia City’s development as the county seat and center of commerce.
Chip Hill, Community Development Director for the City of Columbia City, said the signs are a good way to call attention to an important part of the community.
“Our historic downtown is an important part of what makes Columbia City unique,” said Chip Hill, Community Development Director for the City of Columbia City. “The new signs give us a chance to highlight that history and help people notice and appreciate the historic character of downtown. We’re glad to partner with Columbia City Connect on projects like this that help showcase our community.”
The new signs are part of ongoing efforts by Columbia City Connect and the City to celebrate and preserve downtown’s historic character while keeping it an active, welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors.
“Preserving our history doesn’t mean keeping downtown frozen in time,” Keister said. “It means recognizing what we have and making sure it continues to be part of Columbia City’s future.”
Columbia City Connect, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited Main Street America™ program, works with community partners to support a vibrant, economically healthy downtown through events, business support, historic preservation, beautification and community initiatives.
The new historic district signs provide another opportunity to celebrate our community, our downtown and our opportunity, and the history that helped shape Columbia City into the community it is today.
