Historical Markers in Columbus, Texas

Benjamin Beason's Crossing of the Colorado River · 1936

Site of the camp, March 19,-26, 1836, of the Texas Army under General Sam Houston, who directed the retreat from Gonzales to the San Jacinto.

Colorado County · 1936

A part of Stephen F. Austin's First Colony. Created March 17, 1836. Organized in 1837. The river traversing the region was called "Colorado" (Red) by Spanish explorers who mistook it for the reddish Brazos. From the…

Colorado County, City of Columbus · 1936

Site of projected capitol of Stephen F. Austin's colony, 1823. First settlement at this point shown on Stephen F. Austin's map of 1835 as Montezuma. The municipality of Colorado was created by the provisional government…

Columbus Oak · 1936

Beneath this tree the first Court of the Third Judicial District of The Republic of Texas was held April, 1837 by Judge Robert M. Williamson ("Three Legged Willie").

Site of the Camp · 1936

March 20-26, 1836, of one division of General Santa Anna's army under the command of General Joaquín Ramírez y Sesma * It crossed the Colorado at Atascosita Ford, eight miles below Columbus Erected by the State of Texas…

Alleyton, C.S.A. · 1963

Born as War clouds gathered. Alleyton was a key point on the supply line of the Confederate States of American during the Civil War. It was both beginning and end of the cotton road leading to the Confederacy's back…

Charles William Tait Home · 1965

Military surgeon, surveyor, Texas Legislator, planter. After return from service with 4th Texas Calvary in Civil War, he finished home. Cottonwood siding. Hand-molded brick in chimneys. RTHL - 1965

Confederate Memorial Museum · 1966

Built 1883 by town of Columbus, using over 400,000 handmade bricks. Has 32-inch walls. Served as water tower and fire house until 1912. Since 1926 owned by Shropshire-Upton Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy.…

Dilue Rose and Ira Albert Harris House · 1966

Dilue Rose and Ira Albert Harris moved from Houston to Columbus in 1845. Ira served as county sheriff and city marshall, and Dilue wrote of her experiences during the Texas Revolution, later published. They built this…

Home of Texas Attorney General George McCormick · 1968

In McCormick family 100 years. "Early Texas" cottage, built 1868, with square nails; of cypress and pine wood; had five rooms, detached kitchen, dining room. Born in Virginia, McCormick (1841-1905) came to Texas 1858;…

Colorado County Courthouse · 1969

This classic revival building--erected in 1890-1891 in form of a Greek cross--is now one of 28 oldest existing courthouses in Texas' 254 counties. Contractors Martin, Byrne & Johnson built the structure of brick and…

District Court Tree · 1969

In 1837 this oak sheltered Texas jurors. Courthouse was unfinished because logs coming down-river for building had swept past in strong current. R.M. Williamson, presiding, was called "Three-Legged Willie" due to…

Old General Store · 1969

Once a bustling, spicy smelling store, with sausage hanging from the rafters and slabs of bacon displayed in glass cases. This building was erected 1892 by H. S. Williams, merchant and city mayor. It was run 1906-1941…

Old Stafford Opera House · 1969

Built 1886 by R. E. Stafford, 1834-1890, millionaire cattleman. Stately interior (which seated 1,000) had gas-burning chandeliers and an elaborate hand-painted curtain. Architect was N. J. Clayton, who designed many…

Tate-Senftenberg-Brandon Home · 1969

Originally a modest one-story cottage built about 1867 by Phocian Tate. Sold in 1887 to A. Senftenberg, merchant, who added second story and porches with Victorian ornamentation. In 1900 Kenneth Brandon bought home and…

Colonel Joseph Worthington Elliott Wallace · 1970

United States Consul to the colonies in Texas, 1829-1832. A native of Philadelphia, PA. He later joined Austin's Colony, serving in campaigns leading to Texas War for Independence. In 1837, with W. B. DeWees, he platted…

Hancock-Heller Home · 1970

Original structure built 1865 by John S. Hancock, county tax collector. Walls are of cypress with hard cedar floors. A "dog-trot" hall divides front section. In 1884 another owner moved a second house here and placed it…

Ilse-Rau House · 1970

Built in 1887 by Henry Ilse, a farmer, rancher, saloon owner. In symmetrical Victorian style, house is constructed of cypress, with pine floors and jigsaw decorations. It contains three fireplaces with marble mantels.…

Townsend-Koliba House · 1971

Front portion built in mid-1800s. Owned until 1845 by Stephen Townsend, member of prominent family and veteran of Battle of San Jacinto. In 1837, as first county sheriff, he took part in court held under famous oak (60…

William B. DeWees · 1971

(1799-1878) Early Texas settler. Came here from Kentucky, 1822, when Texas was part of Mexico. Received a large land grant in 1824 as one of Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300" colonists. Worked as blacksmith and trader.…

Bartels-Wirtz House · 1973

Distinctions of this Victorian cottage: gable window with star tracery, decorative bargeboard, carpenter's lace. Stained glass entrance doors are duplicated at back of the front hall. Anton Bartles, from Aldenburg,…

Ben Marshall Baker · 1973

(1837-1907) Influential owner-editor of "Colorado Citizens," whch he and brothers, Hicks and James, founded in 1857. All joined Confederate Army in Civil War; Hicks was killed. In ill Health, James moved away. Ben…

Brick Store House · 1973

Owned and occupied 1840-67 by Thomas W. Harris, a physician from Virginia. Bought by William and Mary Pinchback (1867), Kasper Vogel (1875), Bertha Wagner (1878), and still owned by Wagner heirs. Since 1912 store has…

Brunson Building · 1973

Charles Brunson (1830-1916), born in Westphalia, Germany, migrated to America in 1845. About 1867 he settled in Columbus, establishing a saloon, which prospered. In 1891 he erected this building, adding adjacent store…

Caledonia Lodge No. 68, A. F. & A. M. · 1973

Organized 1850; chartered Jan. 24, 1851; on Feb. 3, 1851, founded Columbus Female Seminary, first educational institution in Columbus. Built 2-story structure to house school downstairs, lodge hall above. Also (1857)…

Capt. William G. Hunt House · 1973

On land originally owned by Bluford DeWeese, founder of Columbus, Capt. William G. Hunt (1813-1898) purchased this house in August 1859, and lived here until his death. He was a Virginian who came to Columbus around…

City of Columbus · 1973

Oldest surveyed and platted Anglo-American town in Texas. About Christmas, 1821, Robert and Joseph Kuykendall and Daniel Gilleland settled at this place--in vicinity of old Indian campgrounds on Mexico-to-Sabine River…

Columbus Church of Christ · 1973

Built as St. John's Church, by pioneer local Episcopal parish, organized in 1850s. After holding services in courthouse and other structures for years, the parish erected this building, which was consecrated on April 3,…

Columbus State Bank · 1973

History is preserved in this structure. At founding (1919), this institution, in erecting its bank, retained a wall of 1857 Boedecker Building that had housed many ventures, including city's first bank (1875). In 1969…

Columbus' Old City Cemetery · 1973

Date of earliest burial is not known: oldest headstone, 1853. Site (7 A.) was deeded to the city in 1870 as an existent graveyard. Burials here included Benjamin Beason, one of Austin's "Old 300" colonists: W. B.…

Early Site of Dr. Logue's Drugstore · 1973

Known as first drugstore in Republic of Texas. Founded 1844 by Dr. John G. Logue (1815-1861), who came here after graduation (1842) from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. A partner of his for a time was Dr. John…

Ehrenwerth-Ramsey-Untermeyer Building · 1973

Henry M. Ehrenwerth built this two-story commercial structure in 1873-75 of bricks from a local kiln. Designed for his mercantile store, it housed L.G. Smith's Red Elk Saloon and Gambling Hall in the 1880s. In 1896 the…

Exum Philip Whitfield · 1973

(April 22, 1818-September 17, 1887) Columbus business leader, merchant, physician, farmer, 1858-87. President, 1861-66, Columbus Tap Railway. Served two Confederate enlistments during the Civil War, 1860s. Married (1st)…

Hahn House · 1973

On this site a small cottage was built about 1868 by W. H. Crebbs, who sold place in 1885 to Peter Hahn (1852-1940) and his wife Catherine Leyendecker. In 1890, Hahn moved cottage to the rear, scouted East Texas for…

Home of William Christian Papenberg · 1973

(1870-1958) District clerk for 38 years in Colorado County. Born in Illinois. Educated as a teacher, came to Texas (1899) in that profession. Moved to Columbus (1904) and became clerk in 1908. This house that he and his…

Homesite of Fannie Baker Darden · 1973

(1829-1890) Known as "Poet Laureate of Columbus." Daughter of Texas War for Independence hero, Gen. Mosely Baker, and his wife Eliza; married attorney W. J. Darden, Jan 26, 1847; had two sons. Moved here, 1852. Taught…

Maigne-Walther House · 1973

Raised cottage with parapeted balustrade. Built 1869 by Charles Mainge. Siding and floors are of pine; interior walls, cypress. Foundations and fireplaces are of handmade bricks. Square nails were used in construction.…

Site of Columbus Female Seminary · 1973

First organized school in Columbus. Founded Feb. 3, 1851, by Caledonia Lodge No. 68, A. F. & A. M.; housed on first floor of lodge hall at this site. Seminary taught literary subjects, music, art, for many years.…

Site of Railway Hospital · 1973

Dr. Robert Henry Harrison (1826-1905), graduate of the Botanico Medical College, Cincinnati, and Alabama Medical College, moved to Columbus in the 1870s, while the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio (later Southern…

Site of Robson's Castle and Columbus, Texas, Meat and Ice Company · 1973

Robert Robson (1804-1878), one of many Scotsmen seeking fortune in North America, came to the Texas Republic in 1839. On land he owned at this site, he built a concrete "castle," using native lime and gravel. It had…

Stafford-Miller House · 1973

Tait Compound · 1973

Charles William Tait (1815-1878), A physician, civil engineer, U.S. Naval officer (1838-1843), came to Texas from Alabama in 1844, surveyed extensive lands for railroads and opened 6,000-acre Sylvania Plantation. Here…

The Colorado County Citizen · 1973

Established 1857 by Ben, James, and Hicks Baker, the "Citizens" was named by the Rev. J. J. Scherer, minister-educator. Also published on several sites, by series of owners, as "Colorado Times" or "Colorado Citizens,"…

The Columbus Tap Railway · 1973

The Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado--first railway built in Texas--in the 1850s mapped its route from Houston to Austin through Alleyton (3 mi. E), bypassing Columbus. To retain their town's supremacy in its trade…

The Isgrig House · 1973

Late Victorian house with art glass windows, shingled gables, ornate gingerbread trim. Large rooms have 12-foot ceilings. Built in 1898 of clear lumber, hand-picked by the owner, John H. Luck, assisted by Jeff Tanner, a…

The Montgomery House · 1973

Typical post-Civil War, L-shape Empire cottage, with handmade brick foundation, native oak sills, pine floors. Siding, doors, window shutters are of cypress. House was built about 1867 by land agent A. J. Gallilee;…

The Rev. Jacob Scherer · 1973

(February 7, 1785 - March 2, 1860) Born in North Carolina. Moved to Texas in 1851. As pastor here, is said to have founded the first English-speaking Lutheran Church in Texas; a founder (1857) of Colorado College, first…

Townsend-West House · 1973

Eastlake style embellishments make this a Victorian jewel. It was built in 1890 by contractor Jacob Wirtz for Marcus H. and Annie (Burford) Townsend. A State Representative (1883-85) and Senator (1889-93), Townsend…

Youens-Hopkins House · 1973

An 1860s frontier cottage of cypress and pine, with locally made bricks in foundations. At first owned by James Hodges; bought 1875 by James H. Simpson, county's first banker; then sold in 1896 to Charles J. G.…

First United Methodist Church of Columbus · 1974

One of the earliest Protestant congregations in Texas; founded in Austin's original colony. The first church building was near the Colorado, on a lot " sold" for $1.00 by Isam Tooke in 1848, and an adjoining lot bought…

Joseph Jefferson Mansfield · 1974

(Feb. 9, 1861 - July 12, 1947) Born in Wayne County, West Virginia, as Beauregard Mansfield. His name was changed to Joseph Jefferson Mansfield for his father, a Confederate colonel who was killed soon after Mansfield's…

Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of the American Declaration of Independence · 1976

Most of the "Old Three Hundred" settlers in Stephen F. Austin's first Texas colony in the early 1820s came from the United States and were proud of their Anglo-American heritage. Austin discouraged any display of…

Abram Alley Log Cabin · 1977

In the 1820s, Abram Alley (d. 1862) came from Missouri to join his brothers in Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300" Colony. He settled a few miles south of here on the east side of the Colorado, and in 1835 married Nancy…

Mentz-Bernardo Community · 1982

As early as the 1830s German immigrants had begun to settle in the general vicinity of Cat Spring. They were soon joined by others who preferred this region to the various sites that had been designated formal…

Simpson-Williamson House · 1986

Virginia Native Friench Simpson (1848-192) came to Colorado County in the 1860s. A farmer, banker, Columbus mayor, state Senator, and poet, Simpson had this home built for his family in 1882. After 1916, it became the…

The Rangers of Austin's Colony · 1986

By March 1822, Stephen F. Austin had attracted about 150 colonists to Texas. The pioneers faced many hardships, including concern for their protection form Indians along the Colorado and Brazos rivers. In December of…

Toliver-Cone House · 1986

James A. Toliver (1844-1911), native Texan, Civil War veteran, and local and political civic leader, is said to have built this house about 1870 with finest pine and cypress form his lumber yard. It was purchased in…

Hebrew Benevolence Society Cemetery · 1989

Comprising one acre of land, this cemetery was begun in 1879 with the burial of M. A. Levy. Although its name suggests an affiliation with a Hebrew Benevolent Society, there was never a specific organization associated…

1890 Cornerstone Ceremony · 1990

The building of the Colorado County Courthouse began with a public celebration July 7, 1890. About 3,000 people attended a barbecue in a grove north of town. They later marched to the Courthouse Square in a procession…

Saint John's Episcopal Church · 1990

The earliest Episcopal worship service known to have been held in Columbus occurred in 1848. At that time services were held infrequently, conducted by clergy traveling through the area. The Rev. Hannibal Pratt came to…