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Columbus, Texas

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 66.87.121.61 (talk) at 19:15, 25 December 2015 (Removed reference to Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area, of which Columbus is not a part). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Columbus, Texas
City
The Colorado County Courthouse under renovation in 2013, with restoration of historic colors
The Colorado County Courthouse under renovation in 2013, with restoration of historic colors
Location of Columbus, Texas
Location of Columbus, Texas
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyColorado
Government
 • MayorDwain Dungen
Area
 • Total
2.88 sq mi (7.45 km2)
 • Land2.87 sq mi (7.44 km2)
 • Water0.004 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
203 ft (62 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
3,655
 • Density1,273/sq mi (491.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
78934
Area code979
FIPS code48-16168[1]
GNIS feature ID1333156[2]
Websitewww.columbustexas.net

Columbus is a city in Colorado County in southeastern Texas, United States, 74 miles (119 km) west of Houston. The population was 3,655 as of the 2010 census.[3] It is the county seat of Colorado County [4] and is located on the Colorado River. The Colorado County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The town motto, coined by James Harbert Wooten, Jr., M.D., is "City of Live Oaks and Live Folks". Columbus is the home of a Santa Claus Museum, based on the collection of Mary Elizabeth Hopkins.

Geography

It is located along Interstate 10, on the southwest side of the Colorado River. Columbus is in the north-central part of Colorado County at 29°42′21″N 96°32′46″W / 29.70583°N 96.54611°W / 29.70583; -96.54611 (29.705822, -96.546223).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.88 square miles (7.45 km2), of which 0.004 square miles (0.01 km2), or 0.16%, is water.[3]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Columbus has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[6]

History

Abram Alley Log Cabin (1830s); now used also as Tool Museum in Columbus

The first American settlers arrived in 1821 and believed this was the legendary site of Montezuma's Indian village.[citation needed] In 1822, the Mexican government issued land grants to members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred, who included Benjamin Beason (originally spelled "Beeson") and Abram Alley. Alley's 1830s log cabin has been preserved in Columbus and is used as a tool museum.

Beason arrived in 1821, received his land grant in 1822, and settled along the Colorado River with his wife Elizabeth "Betsy" and family. By late December 1821, colonists Robert H. Kuykendall with his brother Joseph, and Daniel Gilleland arrived in the area of present-day Columbus. In 1822, Benjamin Beason began operating a ferry across the Colorado River, and the settlement became known as Beason's Ferry or Beason's Crossing. Beason also established a gristmill, gin, and a sawmill; his wife operated a boarding house.

Beason's Crossing became part of Austin's San Felipe colony in 1822, when the colony was divided into two districts by the Mexican governor José F. Trespalacios. The Mexican government granted the rights to establish a town, and the locals elected town officials. John J. Tumlinson, Sr., was elected alcalde, with Robert Kuykendall captain and Moses Morrison lieutenant. Tumlinson's land adjoined Beason's; together, they made up much of the site of present-day Columbus. Tumlinson was killed by Native Americans in 1823. In 1834, after the Tumlinson children inherited the estate, they sold land to William Dewees, who was married to Beason's daughter, Lydia. Dewees' land grant was near the site of present-day Glidden, Texas.

County Courthouse, constructed 1890-1891: the 2008 photo shows changes after a 1909 storm, when the dome was added.
Downtown Columbus, showing Stafford Opera House on far corner
First State Bank Building in Columbus
Colorado River in Beason's Park in Columbus

By 1836, Beason's Ferry Crossing was home to over 25 families. During the fight for Texas independence, Sam Houston and his men camped along the banks of the Colorado River near Beason's Crossing. Following the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Anna's army headed for San Jacinto, and Houston ordered that Beason's Crossing be burned during the Runaway Scrape.

Columbus was established by European Americans in 1837 after Texas achieved independence from Mexico.[7] After the population returned following warfare, residents renamed Beason's Crossing "Columbus". Some speculate that it was named in honor of residents who migrated from Columbus, Ohio, while others believe the town was named after Christopher Columbus, who explored on behalf of Spain in the late 15th century.

The town of Columbus was platted again in 1837. The Dewees family gave land for a new school and possibly a courthouse. By 1837, the town had been re-established with two public houses, two stores, and half a dozen small dwellings.[7]

The historic Stafford-Miller House was built in 1886 for the cattleman, banker, and businessman Robert E. Stafford (1834-1890).

It was later named the seat of Colorado County, and had developed as a center of business and trade for surrounding areas. Cattle ranching was big business by the late 19th century. Some merchants and ranchers did very well, and built fine houses in the city, such as the house built by Robert E. Stafford. He supported the Stafford Opera House, now serving also as a museum and performance space. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it attracted touring performers and lecturers. Other notable historic homes operated today as museums are the Dilue Rose Harris House Museum, and Tate-Senftenburg-Brandon House Museum.[8]

The Colorado County Courthouse was built in 1890, the fourth such structure in the city. It was designed in the Classical Revival and Italianate styles of architecture by noted Houston architect Eugene T. Heiner. He designed at least nine other Texas courthouses. The bell tower was damaged in a 1909 storm. The dome was added before 1939. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2013-2014, the courthouse was being renovated and upgraded for current uses; the project included restoration of historic exterior colors.

The Santa Claus Museum in Columbus

In the 20th century, the Santa Claus Museum was established in town, based on the collection of the late Mary Elizabeth Hopkins (d. 1990) and located in her former residence. It has become a noted tourist destination in the region. The historic Alley Log Cabin and Tool Museum is another unique site, dating to the 1830s.[8]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18801,959—
18902,19912.3%
19001,824−17.1%
19101,655−9.3%
19201,433−13.4%
19302,05443.3%
19402,42217.9%
19502,87818.8%
19603,65627.0%
19703,342−8.6%
19803,92317.4%
19903,367−14.2%
20003,91616.3%
20103,655−6.7%
2014 (est.)3,655[9]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

In 1890, 2,199 people lived in Columbus. In 1900, the population declined to 1,824 residents.

At the 2000 census,[1] 3,916 people, 1,497 households and 946 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,387.5 inhabitants per square mile (535.7/km2). The 1,750 housing units averaged 620.1 per square mile (239.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 66.55% White, 19.94% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 10.52% from other races, and 2.27% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 17.62% of the population.

Of the 1,497 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were not families. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.04.

The population was distributed as 23.4% were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median household income was $29,175 and for a family was $40,197. Males had a median income of $30,104 compared with $19,077 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,822. About 15.5% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under age 18 and 16.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The city is served by the Columbus Independent School District, which includes:

The Columbus Cardinal mascot was named by James Harbert Wooten, Jr., M.D.

Also in Columbus are Saint Anthony School, a Catholic school serving students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight,[11] and Texas Bible Institute, a branch of Burchfield Ministries International.

Notable people

(All three Schobels were outstanding football players at TCU)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Columbus city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ^ Climate Summary for Columbus, Texas
  7. ^ a b Don Allon Hinton, "COLUMBUS, TX", Handbook of Texas Online, accessed May 31, 2011. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
  8. ^ a b "Columbus Historical Preservation Trust and Museums [TX]", Teaching History website, 2010-2014, accessed 19 February 2014
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ^ a b city-data.com. "Columbus, Texas (TX) Detailed Profile". Retrieved January 6, 2007.
  12. ^ "John W. Gonzalez, "Campbell, Wentworth in dogfight of a runoff for Senate"". San Antonio Express News. July 22, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  13. ^ "TanyaMcQueen.com". Retrieved January 6, 2007.
  14. ^ Baseball Almanac. "Hal Smith Baseball Stats". Retrieved January 6, 2007.
  15. ^ National Instruments Corporation. "Dr. James Truchard".
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Wikisource has the text of a 1905 New International Encyclopedia article about "Columbus, Texas".
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