Welcome!

from Columbus, Texas 2023 Spring/Summer

TEXAS PROUD

Oh, spring and summer! My favorite time of year is here.

This is the time of year I start getting itchy feet. My mind daydreams about long, sandy beaches with lazy hours spent searching for seashells. I long for a relaxing day on the lake, fishing rod in hand, and just as happy whether or I am catching the big one or nothing at all. There are plans for weekend camping trips, cool evenings around a campfire, and wandering hikes down dusty paths at dawn.

But truth be told, I don’t have to wander too far to enjoy this time of year. Whether you call

Welcome to Columbus, a small Texas town celebrating her 200th birthday.

There is a lot to look back on over the past 200 years in Columbus. Most recently, the excavation of a time capsule that was buried in 1973. This historic cache included mementos from Columbus Independent School District’s students and faculty, dating from 1979 through 1984. These treasures are now on display at Columbus’ Nesbitt Memorial Library.

Although much has changed over the past 200 years, Columbus’ historic oak trees remain constant. Travelers can often be observed stopping to take photos of the giants as they navigate through the downtown area and beyond. One of the grandest highlights is the live oak on Walnut Street. You can read more about it on page 22 of this edition.

The downtown area has seen many changes, as well. Modern retailers have popped up to replace several of the mom-and-pop stores of yesterday. I recall with fondness of Mark’s Corner Drugstore with an old-fashioned soda fountain. A childhood friend’s father owned it, and I can still taste the Coke floats I enjoyed on walks home from school. I would later work at that same drugstore as a front counter clerk before assisting with the bookkeeping and working as a pharmacist assistant.

Columbus home or are looking for your next getaway, this small piece of Texas heaven has all you need to enjoy a little respite from the mundane. Let me entice you.

Have a week? Come out for Magnolia Days (page 18) and stay at a local bed-and-breakfast. Looking for a fun weekend? Columbus Farmers Market, affectionately known as The Big One, has something for everyone (page 37) and then wind down at a local brewery or hangout. Can only spare a day? You can’t beat shopping downtown and ending up at OST Creamery (page 28) for a sweet scoop in a waffle cone.

You know, my feet aren’t feeling so itchy after all. Turns out I have everything I need right here in Columbus, Texas under the shade of that big, old live oak tree on Walnut Street.

Cheers!

Back in the day, Winn’s Store was the local fiveand-dime and Gindler’s Department Store was the main shop for men, women and children’s fashion. Bill and John’s Grocery was the prime supermarket, with a bus station and washateria next door.

Columbus also had a movie house, Oaks Theatre, on Walnut Street. The building still stands today; however, it is currently unoccupied. There was a pizza parlor next door that is currently home to Create Space. These places, along with Sonic Drive-In and Dairy Bar, were our usual Friday and Saturday night hangouts before heading off to local dances.

I’m not certain what the next 200 years has in store for Columbus, but I’ve been witness to many changes during my nearly 60 years. I would love to see more businesses move into the downtown area. There are some nice, old buildings in Columbus, and it is sad for me to see them vacant or deteriorating.

Michelle Banse Stokes