Golden Brothers, Founders and Machinsts
Also known as: Golden's Foundry and Machine Co.
Why it's listed
Golden Brothers, Founders and Machinists is an iron foundry and machine works at 600 12th Street in Columbus, Georgia. Brothers Theodore E. and J. Poitevent Golden, who learned their trade at the Columbus Iron Works, opened a small shop in 1882. In 1889 they joined local businessman A. Illges, incorporated the company and moved to the present site. By 1890 they had built an office and storage building, a machine shop and a large foundry. By 1905 eight more substantial buildings and a second, larger foundry filled the space between them. The brick buildings have arched drip molding over windows, brick pilasters and roof monitors that light the wide interiors, with wooden trusses supporting the raised roofs. The plant made cane mills, cotton screws, gin gearing, pulleys and shafting, and supplied equipment to textile and grist mills. It was listed as a local landmark of industry and architecture because it is the oldest operating iron fabricating plant in the city and its original buildings largely survive.
Significance in brief: The complex has served as a major Columbus industry for nearly 100 years and is the oldest operating iron fabricating plant in the city. Its original buildings survive and are an excellent example of a late 19th century brick and wooden truss iron foundry. The company supplied power transmission equipment and castings that supported local textile mills, grist mills and cotton gin manufacturing.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80001174, listed September 29, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 600 12th St., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Muscogee County |
| Listed | September 29, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001174 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Late 19th century brick and wooden truss constructed iron foundry |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating as a foundry and machine company; the form says it is the oldest operating iron fabricating plant in Columbus. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 32.46782, -84.98457 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80001174.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134419862
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.