Columbus
In 1836 Gen. Sam Houston deliberately burned the town to the ground in hopes of deterring Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna during the Texas Revolution. By the following year, Columbus citizens began to rebuild; many of those 19th-century structures can be seen in the downtown area. The restored 1886 Stafford Opera House, 425 Spring St., offers tours and family entertainment; phone (979) 732-5135.
The 1891 Colorado County Courthouse, on Milam Street, features a Tiffany-style stained-glass dome in the district courtroom and a four-face Seth Thomas clock. A 75-foot tree at 1218 Walnut St. is purported to be the second largest live oak in Texas.
Historically, Benjamin Beason Park marks the spot where Beason's ferry, operated by the Texas Army, once crossed the Colorado River. Today, the park offers camping, picnicking, fishing and soccer fields; phone (979) 732-2604.
Visitor Centers
Columbus Chamber of Commerce 425 Spring St. Columbus, TX 78934. Phone:(979)732-8385