the Forsyth Mill, the Bellvue Mill (Macon), the Arnall and Arnco mills in Coweta County, Plant Camilla near Juliett, Plant Laurel near Potterville, and two additional plants in Monroe County. By 1966 Bibb had fourteen mills in operation.

Later Years

In 1956 Robert Train, grandson of Hugh Comer, was appointed president. By this time textile mills all over the South were faltering. Bibb had acquired additional factories in other states but began to sell its company housing in the 1960s. By 1970, when William S. Manning became president, some of the factories were put up for sale. The succeeding decades saw more closures for Bibb. In 1996, under CEO Michael Fulbright, the Bibb Companies went through bankruptcy reorganization. Unable to recover economically, the company was sold in 1998 to theDan River Corporation of Virginia.

The mill communities, especially Bibb City, were affected by the closures. In 2000 Bibb City ceased to be an independent community, merging with the city of Columbus.

Through its many products, employees, and mill communities, Bibb, known as "the first name in textiles," helped to shape Georgia during its many years of operation in the state.

Scope and Content

The collection includes 4 boxes of administrative records, including technical information on processes and products, patent information, correspondence, stock control records, and other matters. The remaining 120 boxes are receipts for goods and services from 1916-1948.

1910s-1940s 128 l.f.

Permission to Publish

Permission to publish material from the Bibb Manufacturing Company Records must be obtained from the Columbus State University Archives at Columbus State University. Use of the following credit line