The Historic Columbus Foundation (HCF) was formed in 1966, spurred by successful efforts to save the Springer Opera House from demolition. It began with 70 members, and ownership of the Walker-Peters-Langdon house, the oldest house in Columbus, then valued at $15,000. Operating and administrative expenses were obtained from its membership dues. A revolving-redevelopment fund was created through contributions and three main fund-raising events, the Heritage Ball, the Salisbury Fair and Historic Tour and the annual membership party. This fund was used to purchase and/or restore properties for resale. The organization successfully restored the Walker-Peters-Langdon house for use as a house museum and the first headquarters of the Foundation.

In 1966 the Junior League of Columbus made a $5,000 grant for Dr. Carl Feiss, a nationally-known architectural historian, to conduct a survey of historic structures in Columbus. During 1967 Dr. Feiss surveyed over 400 buildings and ranked them by architectural and historical significance. Based on these surveys, the Foundation convinced the Columbus Housing Authority to become involved in the establishment of the Southwest Columbus Urban Renewal Project, which included a Historic District. Once the district had been established, it was nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places and registered on July 30, 1969. Other preservation projects that have built on the earlier successes of the Foundation's work include the Chattahoochee Promenade (which has since become the River Walk), the repurposing of the Columbus Iron Works (purchased by the city in 1976 and developed into a convention center and hotel complex), and the Rankin Square Corporation, which saved and restored the Rankin Hotel and adjacent buildings.