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History in a Pecan Shell
Columbus'
history is so rich, it's difficult to mention even the highlights in the space
available. We suggest that the reader consult one of the histories available at
the K. Nesbitt Memorial Library (529 Washington Street). We will attempt
to include some of the more interesting facts, although each could be (and many
have been) written about in length.
The Early Years:
Columbus
(as Beason's Ferry) played an important part in the Texas Revolution and
the few houses that comprised the town were burned by Houston in his scorched-earth
tactics during the Runaway
Scrape. He spent six days on the east side of the river drilling his troops
before continuing on to San
Jacinto. The last Indian raid in Columbus took place in 1838 when two citizens
were killed.
Stagelines connected Columbus to San
Antonio (a 48 hour adventure) and steamships appeared as early as 1838. The
river was navigable from just above Matagorda
and in later years (1871) a steamboat once went as far as Dripping
Springs.
Just prior to the Civil War, the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos
and Colorado Railroad came just short of Columbus to Alleyton.
This made Alleyton the most important
town on the Confederacy's "Cotton Road" to Matamoros,
Mexico. The railroad's post-war plan was to bypass Columbus and Columbians
raised money to build a three-mile "tap line" to Alleyton.
The four Stafford Brothers came from Georgia just before the
Civil War.
R.E. "Bob" Stafford drove cattle to Kansas in 1867
and started making his sizable fortune. He opened his bank in 1882 and he also
owned the Columbus Meat and Ice Company on the river.
Columbus shares
its name with 22 other municipalities (of varying size) around the country. They
get together every two years and compare notes on what burdens and blessings the
name brings. They also vote for a "Miss Columbus, U.S.A." The year 2000 winner
was from Texas' Columbus. |
Columbus,
Texas Landmarks / Attractions |
| Columbus has the distinction
of being "the oldest surveyed and platted Anglo-American town in Texas."
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The
Stafford Opera House was built in 1886 and his future looked pretty darn good.
John and Bob Stafford were shot dead in 1890 by Columbus Deputies who confronted
them in front of a saloon.
This opened the lid on a whole bunch of smoldering
feuds which, when fully in flame, continued well into the 20th Century. They even
resulted in Columbus being unincorporated from 1907 to 1927. |
Old
Stafford Opera House Historical Marker
TE Photo, 2002
See Texas
Theatres |
Columbus
1927 Masonic Hall
TE Photo, 2004 |
Grave
of Gunfighter Dallas Stroudenmire
3 miles East in Alleyton
- Easy to find - it's the only newly fenced grave in the cemetery's large open
field.
Book Hotel Here >
Columbus Hotels |
|
Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library Archives |
|
Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library Archives |
| Columbus
Tower
400,000
nicely arranged bricks make up the 32-inch walls of this beautiful tower (c. 1883)
The tower stored water piped from the Colorado River.
The photo
left is the earliest photograph of the tower.
Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library
|
County
Jail Building
Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library, Columbus, Texas
More Texas
Jails |
A
view from the courthouse
showing the water tower and the Stafford Bank Building (Opera House) left. Photo
c.1906
Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library, Columbus, Texas |
Magnolia
Gas Station
Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library, Columbus, Texas
More Texas
Gas Stations |
Columbus Nearby Destinations & Scenic Drives |
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Grain elevators in Columbus
Photo by John Troesser, 2-2003 |
| |
| SOLUTION
Tails
of Two Cities
by Brewster Hudspeth
or The Great Columbus, Colorado County / Canada
Cat Compromises |
Book
Hotel Here > Columbus
Hotels
Columbus
Texas Forum
I
don't know where Columbus City Cemetery is.....never cared. But this great piece
on Live
Oaks and Dead Folks is fantastic! I will be planning a trip next year just
for this fun time. I love the writing style and the information makes it come
alive (so to speak). Please keep up the good work! I have found you and plan to
read and read and read...then maybe mosey on down the road a piece. - Sandy
Knebel, Garland.... by way of Waxahachie, December 17, 2005
Bibliography:
Colorado County Chronicles: From the beginning to 1923 Volumes I & II Compiled
by the Colorado County Historical Commission
Related
Topics:
Texas Town List | Texas
Ghost Towns | Texas | Texas
Hotels
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose
to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing
to share their local history and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. | |
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