Columbus, Indiana is a city of many wonders.
The architecture has garnered national attention, while it's people have inspired and changed our world. Below a few of these famous citizens are showcased to offer a peek into their small town, midwestern lives.
N 39° 11.ABC W 085° 55.DEF
Smoke or Rocket, it doesn't matter because this home grown boy has done much in his time behind the wheel. Local legend has it he once worked west of Nashville at Ski World on the go-karts, eventually starting up a popluar racing league. When he asked for a .25 cent an hour raise and was turned down, he walked out, never coming back.
A= last digit. Nationwide Series car # - Sprint car # - number of Nationwide Series wins
This 1955 graduate of Columbus High School was a 1st Lt. in Vietnam and had a 30-caliber bullet tore through his neck as he tried to land Yankee Papa 3 at a hot LZ on March 31, 1965. The story and photos were featured on the cover of LIFE magazine.
B= Last digit of the cover date in April of 1965
This Whiskered alumni of Kent school and Columbus East High graduated in 1974, taking off to gain his fame and fortune. Back in the day, his family were caretakers of a local orchard and then owners of a local photo center that used to be in the old Commons mall. Letters in the orchard's name + letters in photo center's 1st name - letters in his father's first name. Last digit of those numbers=
C= Letters in the orchard's name + letters in photo center's 1st name - letters in his father's first name. Use last digit
This Columbus hoopster designed not only a seamless basketball but also the famous sneakers still worn by millions even almost 100 yrs later. Though a little younger than 2 famous movie cowboys from the area, he most likely played on the same Columbus High School team with them. They used to play in the old brick gym at 5th and Lafayette which in later days was the City Hall and a hotel.
D= His "nickname" - the total number of stars on the ankle patchs of each pair
This Columbus East alumni lead the Olympians to their 1st state football title as a senior in 1979 and went on to gain fame as an NFL, CFL and Arena league quaterback. This family knows football as his nephew came out of high school (for East) as the #1 rated HS prospect and now plays for the uncle's alma mater. (update: he transfered to Cincinnati)
E= Uncle's induction year into the Indiana Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame - high school jersey number of famous Irish nephew. Use last digit.
These 2 local boys hit it big on the silver screen. The Singing Cowboy may have had the more well known name but the Stuntman ended up in more movies. They were born south of Columbus in Azalia and these CHS fellas more than likely played some basketball with that famous All Star.
F= Add each of the 4 digits in the 1st brother's year of birth together (i.e. Y+Y+Y+Y) + each of the 4 digits in the younger brother's year of birth (i.e. Y+Y+Y+Y) to get a 2 digit total. Use last digit