JUNE 2020 FINAL

SVM
WEDDINGS
SVMfeature
With a rich and varied history, the Power-
House at the Eagle & Phenix Mills is a look
back in time that creates a unique yet elegant
backdrop for any occasion. Renovated
and preserved for decades, this structure is
almost as old as Columbus and continues
to serve its community in various ways.
Whether it’s for residential or commercial
use, the PowerHouse at the Eagle & Phenix
Mills persists as the local “go-to” place for event planning and downtown
living. The Eagle & Phenix Mills is well known for their condominiums and
apartments, while the PowerHouse is the event venue near the mills. But to
know what Eagle & Phenix Mills has to offer, it is important to understand
its history and how it all got started.
The PowerHouse was the main power supply providing the necessary energy
to drive the Eagle and Phenix Mills. By diverting water from the Chattahoochee,
the PowerHouse harnessed the water and used it to turn multiple
large turbines creating hydroelectric power for the Mills. The very early
history of the PowerHouse at the Eagle & Phenix Mills began in 1860 when
cotton milling operations were run by William H. Young after he absorbed
the nearby Howard Factory. From this point on, Eagle Mills (as it was called
then) became the second largest mill in the state of Georgia. During this
time, the Eagle Mill No. 1 produced material for Confederate uniforms and
other critical goods during the Civil War. But because of poor and slow communication
Mill No. 1 was caught in a terrible accident.
After generals Lee and Grant had already signed a treaty to end the war, a
land battle was still being fought in the Columbus area where soldiers were
unaware of the recent end to the war. The federal forces overwhelmed the defenders
of Columbus and crossed the river to burn the Eagle Mills buildings.
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