I think _Camellia japonica_ 'Herme,' introduced to American horticulture in 1875, fits the columnar bill. 'Herme,' correctly spelled with no _s_ at the end, is also known as 'Hikaru-Genji,' 'Jordan's Pride,' and Souvenir d'Henri Guichard.' The several synonyms indicate the popularity of this variety in the USA and abroad. It's medium-sized flowers are a frilly semi-double shaded deep pink toward their throats, edged with a white picotee, and streaked with carmine. This variety sports heavily; and there are numerous named sports, including one called 'Herme Pink,' which, like Mommer, has a long string of synonyms. 'Herme' and all members of her sporting clan grow tall and narrow.

Thank you, Jay. I looked it up and it's a gorgeous flower. Says it goes 8' wide, which is pretty wide, but yes 15' tall. I'll bet that it's a total knockout when it blooms!

I'm about ready to drive down there and ask the home owners if I can take some clippings. But I don't know what I'm doing as far as propagating a camellia. Hmmmm.......

Congratulations! I hope it is a variety that is a successful landscape performer in your climate zone.

There's a variety called 'Ashton's High Rise' developed by Dr. Ackerman if you can find it. It is very columnar.

Ashton's High Rise

In general the more erect ones you see here are Camellia x williamsii cultivars. Most are some version of candy or bright pink, possibly that is what you had before.