1822
-
1836
-
1851
-1852
- 1858-
1863 -
1867
- 1870-
1883
- 1886 -
1890
- 1891 -
1923 -
1928 to
present
1822 Beeson’s Crossing,
Beason’s Park
Location: Near East River Bridge South of Hwy 90 Columbus, Texas
78934
Telephone: 979-732-8385
Fee: Call for camping & event permit
Hours: Day use only
Built
as a joint project by LCRA and Colorado County, this 24 acre park
sits along the banks of the Colorado River, in an area that was, or
was near, the original settlement of Beeson’s Crossing, now known as
Columbus.
1836 Alley Log Cabin & Antique
Tool Museum
Location: 1224
Bowie Street, Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-5135
Fee: $2 per person
Hours:
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Tour Option A: Texian Heritage
This square-notch,
fully furnished cabin is an excellent example of Texas Colonial
Period. The cabin was built, just after the Runaway Scrape,
by one of the original “Old 300” settlers brought to Texas by
Stephen F. Austin. It is one of the oldest surviving
structures built during the Texas Revolution just after General Sam
Houston ordered the area’s building to be burned to the ground.
A
note about the
Runaway Scrape
of 1836
Benjamin Beeson, one of Stephen F.
Austin's original 300 colonists, settled here in 1822. His
residence and business operations and a scattering of homesteads
formed a settlement known as Beeson's Crossing.
In the early spring of 1836, the
settlers found themselves in the perilous position in between
Sam Houston's Army, camped on the east bank of the Colorado
River opposite Beeson's crossing, and the Mexican Army led by
General Juaquin Ramirez Y Sesma, fast approaching from the west.
Houston had chosen this site to camp because of its strategic
location at the edge of the most populous part of Texas.
With his 1500 troops in position,
Houston is said to have declared,
"on the Colorado I make my stand."
Notwithstanding this bold
declaration, Houston unexpectedly removed his Army to the Brazos
River on March 26th. Beeson's Crossing was subsequently burned
to the ground by a detachment of Houston's Army scarcely hours
before the arrival of Sesma's Army. The settlers fled
during what is now known as The Runaway Scrape. The Texas
Army went on to defeat Santa Anna and the Mexican Army at San
Jacinto in a decisive battle for Texas Independence.
1851 Caledonia
Masonic Lodge No 68
Location:
Milam Street, Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone:
979-732-5135
Fee: Not Applicable
Hours: Audio Driving Tour Only
Organized by Augustus
Jones and chartered in 1851, Caledonia Lodge #68’s original home was
two blocks away. The present has been in use since being erected in
1927.
Turner-Chapman Gallery, LLC
1852 Fehrenkamp Building
Location:
1100 Milam, Columbus,
Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-733-0400
Website:
www.turnerchapmangallery.com
Fee: No Charge
Hours: Closed Mon. & Tue.
Tour Option D:
Arts Heritage
This fine art
gallery features the work of regional artists such as Ken Turner,
Paulina Kearney, Lynda Counts, and Charles Ford. The gallery
houses original paintings, pottery, lithographs, and Gi’clees - high
quality reproductions printed on a specially prepared canvas with
archival ink to last for generations. The Gallery is housed in
one of the city’s oldest commercial building, which once contained
the Fehrenkamp grocery store and was built by Thomas Harris.
1858 Dilue Rose Harris House Museum
Location: 602 Washington Street, Columbus,
Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-5135
Fee: $2 per person
Hours: Group
Tours & Special Events
Tour Option A:
Texian Heritage
Made of unusual Tabby
construction, this house is as important for its architecture as for
the person who lived in it. Known as Dilue Rose Harris “Woman
of the Texas Revolution,” Ms. Harris’ wrote her reminiscences about
her family’s experiences from June 1835 leading up to the Texas
Revolution. They were later published in the Quarterly of the
Texas State Historical Association.
1863 Gant House
Audio Tour
Only
Location: 936 Bowie Street, Columbus,
Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-5135
Fee: Not Applicable
Hours: Audio Driving Tour
Only
A
restored German built cottage, it retains the original stenciling
and painting. Although a part of the audio driving tour, this
home is not available for public tours.
1867 - 1900's
Tate-Brandon House
Location: 616 Walnut Street,
Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-5135
Fee: $2 per person
Hours: Group
Tours & Special Events only
Tour
Option C: Victorian Heritage
The Industrial Revolution brought about the increased substitution
of machinery for human effort. By the mid-1800's, the use of
iron, coal and steam had revolutionized the building and
manufacturing processes. It was a vigorous and flamboyant era
and for the first time, people of modest circumstances could afford
to take advantage of the fruits of progress.
True
to the era, this
house reflects many different patterns, materials and colors in its
construction, decoration, furnishings and apparel collection.
Partially built before the Civil War in Greek Revival Style (a
second story was later added), changes made in the early 1900's are
best described as Stick Style with Queen Anne features.
Highlights include a tub stenciled in an 1890's pattern
created by Candace Wheeler, a well-known designer of fabrics and
wallpaper; a basement that houses a children's toy exhibit; a bird's
egg collection; Renaissance Revival, Queen Anne, and Empire
style furnishings; and hand-cut English-style wallpaper.
In
2002, this house was transformed during a year-long restoration led
by Columbus resident Nancy Narron with support from the Columbus
Historical Preservation Trust, Inc.
Whenever
possible, wallpapers resembling those of the early 1900's were
installed during the restoration. The result is a beautiful,
lovingly decorated and historically accurate house museum
that clearly
depicts small-town life a century ago.
1870 Zimmerscheidt School
Location: Highway 109,
Frelsburg, Approximately 10 miles north
Telephone:
979-732-5135
Fee: Not Applicable
Hours: Audio Driving Tour
Only
In
this part of Central Texas, public school districts were established
as early as the 1870's. Schools were the Herman Seminary, St.
Joseph, Boggy Branch, Zimmerscheidt, Brushy, Rocky Hill and Pin Oak.
All of these consolidated with the Columbus Independent School
District by 1958 or before. The Zimmerscheidt school house is one of
the few one room school houses left in Texas.
1883 Confederate Memorial Museum
United Daughters
of the Confederacy Shropshire-Upton Chapter
Location: Southwest corner of the courthouse square Columbus, Texas
78934
Telephone: 979-732-5135
Fee: $1 per person
Hours: Open for group tours
by request or for general viewing:
Mon & Thurs…… 10am-3pm
Fri………........…… 10am-4pm
Sat.………......….. 10am-2pm
Tour Option B:
Frontier Heritage
Housed in the city’s
original water tower the building now resembles a castle turret
(see picture at the top of this page). This museum includes
unusual historic items from throughout Colorado County, to include
ladies’ mourning jewelry, rare china, military uniforms, and a
three-barrel shotgun.
1886 Stafford Opera House
®
Visitor's Center & Museum- 1st Floor; Dinner Theater - 2nd
floor
Location: 425 Spring Street
-Corner of Spring & Milam in downtown
Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-5135
Fee: $2 per
person
Hours: Open for group tours by request or for
general viewing: Mon- Fri…..............…8am-6pm
Saturday……...........12pm-3pm
Tour Option B:
Frontier Heritage
Erected in 1886 by
cattleman and banker Robert Stafford, this beautiful, fully-restored
building is the largest flat-floored opera house in the state.
Through the years, the building served as a performing arts
facility, as apartments and as one of the first Ford Automobile
Dealerships in the country. Today, the facility houses office
space, a small museum and plays host to professionally produced
dinner theater during season from October to June.
Tour
attractions include a French Mansard copper roof, painted curtains,
and a small museum featuring the original bank vault. The Visitors
Center (CCVB), Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Industrial Development
Corporation and Columbus Historical Preservation Trust, Inc. are all
located on the first floor. Both the downstairs general
meeting room and the upstairs facility are available for weddings,
galas and other special events.
1890 Colorado County Courthouse
Location:
Downtown Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone:
979-732-5135
Fee: No Charge
Hours: Open
for group tours and for general viewing during the following hours
only: Mon- Fri…...…8am-5pm
(District Courtroom closed for tours
on holidays & while court is in session)
Tour Option B:
Frontier Heritage
Designed
by Eugene Heiner in 1891, this building is the third courthouse
erected in Columbus, with the first having been built in 1836.
One courthouse was to be of pine harvested in Bastrop and floated
down the Colorado, but high water sent the wood floating right past
Columbus (and not a few surprised carpenters).
Attractions includes a Tiffany-style stained glass dome in
the 2nd floor district courtroom and a Seth Thomas clock on the
first floor. To the East of the courthouse, you’ll find the
historic District Court Oak.
Live Oak Art Center,
1891 Brunson Building
Location: 1014 Milam Street,
Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-8398%202.jpg)
Fee: No charge. Donations accepted.
Hours: Open for group tours by request or for general
viewing: Wed & Sat..............…10am-2pm
Thur &
Fri….....10am-4pm
Tour Option D:
Arts Heritage
In 1848, Scotsman
Robert Robson built a castle on the river and began providing homes
to local and itinerant artists. Today, creative spirits
can rejuvenate at the Live Oak Art Center. Established in
1954, this gallery and studio shines as a beacon for new and
aspiring artists, as well as art lovers, by providing workshops for
all ages, hosting rotating exhibits, and maintaining an outstanding
permanent collection. The facility is also available for weddings,
galas and other special events.
%The natural beauty of Colorado County has
captured the eye and imagination of poets, artists and explorers for
centuries; therefore it was no surprise to us when Texas Monthly
identified Columbus as one of the “Best Small Towns for Art”
in their September 2004 edition!
1923 Highway 90 Bridge
Location:
Highway 90, Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone:
979-732-8385
Tucked along the
meandering banks of the Colorado River, Columbus is accessible by
several bridges. Of special interest is the Highway 90 bridge,
a Multi-span Parker Through Truss bridge, which was opened in 1932
near Beason’s Park.
This location, a common
crossing point for Austin Colony settlers, became the nucleus of the
city of Columbus. An earlier bridge, built in 1884, collapsed in
1928 as a motorist was crossing. The bridge in the background is
used by the Union Pacific Railroad.
1928 Sts
Peter & Paul Catholic Church
Location:
1031 Church Lane, New Ulm, Texas
Telephone:
979-732-3430
Fee: No Charge
Hours: Call for Mass Schedule
Built in 1928 for a
mere $10,000, Sts. Peter & Paul Parish is home to a vibrant
Christian community and contains many beautiful ecclesiastical
artifacts. Although not open to the public as a museum,
visitors to the site may view the striking stained glass windows and
the beautifully carved mahogany doors, which contain symbols of Sts
Peter and Paul, such as carvings of the keys given to St. Peter by
Christ and an upside down cross. It's said that St. Peter requested
to be crucified in this manner because he did not consider himself
worthy to die in the same manner as Christ.
The exterior of the
building is an interesting mix of architectural styles, with
Corinthian columns on the front and Tudor shaped doors on the side
of the building. Once inside, worshippers will find three
ornate wood altars that were shipped from Germany, along with
beautiful stained glass from Europe, carved by Sarasota, Florida
artist Ron Estep, and statues cast from plaster molds.
Santa Claus Museum
featuring the
Collection
of Mary Elizabeth Hopkins
Location: 604 Washington Street, Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-5135
Website:
www.santamuseum.org
Fee: $2 per person age 12+
$1 children ages 6-11
Free for children 5 & under
Hours: Open for
group tours by request or for general viewing: Mon, Thur &
Fri...10am-4pm
Tour Option E:
Heritage Collections
A
tribute to holiday-themed popular culture, this museum features over
1,000 representations of Santa Claus, to include such notable
items as the Duncan Royale series of Santas, Thomas Nast styled
artwork from the famous 19th century American cartoonist,
and figurines by Coca-Cola’s Haddon Sunbloom.
Through
interactive kiosks, videos, and interpretive signage, visitors
to the museum will learn about the history of the real St. Nicholas
and how American manufacturers such as Coca Cola Company, PEZ, and
JC Penny allied with writers and artists from throughout the world
to create the international phenomenon known as "Santa Claus."
The exhibit comprises a remarkable collection of
creatively designed figurines made from a wide variety of materials
to include ceramics, gourds, glass, cast iron, plastic,
wood, fabric, glass, and even a Reader’s Digest.
The 2nd Largest Live
Oak in Texas
Location:
1218 Walnut Street,
across from the post office
Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-5135
Fee: No charge
Hours: Public Space- View Daily
Tree lovers must see
the Second Largest Recorded Live Oak Tree in Texas. This
massive tree is recognized by the Texas Forest Service among their
“Registry of Champion Big Trees,” and is believed to be the 2nd
largest in the state. Thought to be approximately 500 years
old, the tree has a score of 413 on the index scoring system, which
combines the tree’s circumference, height and one-fourth of the
average crown spread. It measures 75 feet tall and 310 inches
in circumference.
Wildlife Museum
featuring
the Collection
of Preston Kyle Shatto
Location:
1002 Milam Street, Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone:
979-732-5135
Website:
www.pkswildlifemuseum.com/
Fee: No charge
Hours: Open for group tours by request or for general viewing
on the 1st & 3rd Thur... 10am-2pm - Closed
July & Aug.
Tour Option E:
Heritage Collections
Features more than 65
different species, including Africa’s “Big Five-” elephant,
rhinoceros, lion, leopard, cape buffalo- and a white rhinoceros, one
of only two on exhibit in the United States.
Nesbitt Memorial Library
featuring the Doll
Collection
of Lee Quinn Nesbitt
Location: 529 Washington Street
Columbus, Texas 78934
Telephone: 979-732-3392
Website:
www.columbustexas.net/library/
Fee: No
charge
Hours: Open for group tours and for general
viewing:
Mon., Tue., Wed.................. 9am-7pm
Thurs.,
Fri..............................9am-6pm
Saturday
.............................9am-4pm
Tour Option E: Heritage Collections
The library was built
around one of the many majestic old live oak trees which grace the
City of Columbus and houses a wonderful collection of dolls and
children's toys given by Miss Lee Nesbitt. It also
maintains a Texas History Collection, with over 4,000 books,
and a vast Genealogical Archives. Annually, the library hosts
educational symposiums featuring Texas authors, musicians and other
high profile professionals, as well as the Live Oaks & Dead Folks
Cemetery Tour. Held each fall, the tour takes an
irreverent look at residents of Columbus’ past through the eyes of
history and via the voices of present-day re-enactors.
