Columbus in Colorado County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Carriage Step on Prairie Street
Photographed by James Hulse, June 27, 2021
1. Carriage Step on Prairie Street Marker
A carriage step is a block of stone or concrete placed at the street as a courtesy to guests stepping out of carriages and was a symbol of prominent families in the community. These steps are remnants of a time when livery stables, blacksmith shops, hitching posts and watering troughs lined the streets. In 1879, the Robert Robson family sold the Prairie Street home to R.S. Stephens, a railroad purchasing agent, and his wife, Bettie Thatcher. The carriage step at this house is in the original location and is the only known carriage step in Columbus. Along with the watering trough at the Colorado County Courthouse, this carriage step is a surviving relic of an earlier era.
2nd Plaque
Prairie Street Heritage House
Community members and business owners, Charlotte Tilotta, Ester Chandler and Paula Frnka restored this property and opened for business in January 2011
Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17187.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is January 2011.
Location. 29° 42.357′ N, 96° 32.667′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Texas, in Colorado County. It is on Prairie Street 0.1 miles south of Walnut Street (
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of Railway Hospital (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Townsend-West House (about 500 feet away); Site of Columbus Female Seminary (about 600 feet away); Bartels-Wirtz House (about 600 feet away); Tate-Senftenberg-Brandon Home (about 700 feet away); City of Columbus (about 800 feet away); Ilse-Rau House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of the American Declaration of Independence (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 27, 2021
2. Carriage Step on Prairie Street Marker
The carriage step can be seen in front of the house by the street between the bushes.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 729 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 7, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
