A Brief History of EAGLE & PHENIX 1851 through 2005
Eagle & Phenix has been a part of Columbus since
early in our city history. Cotton milling operations
began on this site when William H. Young established
the Eagle Mills. In 1860 when Mr. Young absorbed the
nearby Howard Factory, Eagle Mills became the second
largest mill in Georgia. The Eagle Mills produced material
for Confederate uniforms and other critical goods
during the Civil War at the site of our present Mill #1.
Because of slow communication a land battle was still
being fought in our area after the peace treaty had been
signed by Lee and Grant to end the war. Federal forces
over-whelmed the defenders of Columbus, crossed the
river and burned the Eagle Mills buildings.
The present Mill #1 was rebuilt in 1869 and renamed
the Eagle & Phenix Mills to symbolize rising from
the ashes. Mill #2 followed in 1872 and portions of Mill
#1 in 1885. The other historic buildings remaining on
the site are the Boiler House (circa 1878), the Administration
Building (circa 1878) and the Machine Shop
(circa 1886).
During this period of expansion, the Eagle & Phenix
quadrupled its size becoming the largest mill in
the south by 1878. The mill was distinctive because it
produced over 100 varieties of cotton and woolen goods.
Eagle & Phenix was known for its technological sophistication
and the services it provided its workers. One of
these services was the Eagle & Phenix Bank.
Unfortunately, this period of rapid expansion was
followed by economic hard times brought about by
changes in the market. The mill went into receivership
and was purchased by G. Gunby Jordan in 1896. One
of Mr. Jordan’s investors was W. C. Bradley. G. Gunby
Jordan owned the mill from 1896 to 1915 while W. C.
Bradley served on the board. From various correspondences,
it seems that Mr. Jordan suggested that Mr.
Bradley accept the
presidency of the
mill. W. C. Bradley
did accept the
presidency and ultimately owned the Eagle & Phenix
Mill from 1915 until 1947.
From 1947 until 2003 several different companies
including Reeves Brothers, Inc., Fieldcrest and Pillowtex
owned the mill property. All of the structures
have been modified to some extent during their 150 year
history.
In December of 2003 the mill property was repurchased
by W. C. Bradley Co. As present owners, W.
C. Bradley Co. is restoring the mills to as
near their early 1900 condition as practical.
The dam and millrace located to the west of the mill
site provided direct waterpower using water wheels
and turbines until the early 1900’s. The two power
house buildings located out on the dam abutments were
constructed as the mills were converted from direct waterpower
to electric power. We have been told one of the
generators in the upper power house come from Chicago
World’s Fair and a turbine in the lower power house was
salvaged when the Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia power
houses were dismantled.
As you can see the Eagle & Phenix has been a vibrant
part of the history of Columbus. With the
end of the textile industry in the southern United States,
plans are to revive this beautiful property as a mixed-use
residential and commercial community that will once
again be the pride of Columbus, GA. |
