By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ind. — While IH fans were in Columbus earlier this year to celebrate all things Farmall (see page 6B), one of the tours at the show was an architectural tour of the city. Columbus ranks sixth in the nation by the American Institute of Architects, and in 2006 the city won the America in Bloom award. This city with under 50,000 inhabitants lies about 40 miles south of Indianapolis.

Columbus boasts more than 60 buildings cited as being historically significant. What prompted this architectural explosion is in a good part due to Cummins Engine Plant co-founder J. Irwin Miller. The company designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, and Columbus is its headquarters.

It was Clessie Cummins Jr. who first started the company with funding from his employer, William Irwin, for whom he worked as a chauffer and mechanic. With Cummins’ design and Irwin’s financial support, the company eventually was successful.

A big portion of that success, according to Cummins’ history, belongs to J. Irwin Miller, great-nephew of William Irwin. Besides bringing stability to the business’ accomplishments, Irwin helped move Cummins forward as an international force with which to be reckoned.

The Cummins.com website states: “To date, the Foundation has funded just over $22 million in architecture fees and has been involved in more than 50 projects.” Six of the buildings on the tour were built between 1942-65 and  are designated as National Historic Landmarks.

For more information about Columbus call 800-468-6564 or 812-378-2622 or log onto the website at www.columbus.in.us