Columbus in Hickman County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Columbus

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

1. Columbus Marker

Inscription. First entire town in Kentucky to be moved from one site to another. In 1927, after the most severe flood in its history, Columbus was moved from the banks of the river to this bluff, 200 feet above, by the American Red Cross at a cost of $100,000. The relocation was under the supervision of Marion Rust, national Red Cross representative.

Erected 1971 by Kentucky Historical Society - Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1398.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Disasters • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 36° 45.467′ N, 89° 6.269′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Kentucky, in Hickman County. It is at the intersection of Hoover Parkway (State Highway 80/123) and Route 58, in the median on Hoover Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus KY 42032, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase.

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is also in the American Midwest,

in the South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Iron Banks (here, next to this marker); Columbus - A Town Transformed (approx. 0.6 miles away); A River View of History (approx. 0.6 miles away); Earthquakes Along the Mississippi (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Battle at Belmont, Missouri (approx. 0.6 miles away); The History of Columbus, Kentucky (approx. 0.6 miles away); They Passed This Way (approx. 0.6 miles away); African Americans at Columbus during the Civil War (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Also see . . .
1. Columbus Kentucky – A Small Community Rich in History and Community. Explore Hickman County website entry (Submitted on November 22, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

Markers in the Center of Columbus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

2. Markers in the Center of Columbus

Wikipedia article summarizing the flooding and its effects. Political changes due to the flood were perhaps more profound than the physical changes left by the river. (Submitted on April 30, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Relocated Columbus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

3. Relocated Columbus

Columbus was originally a river town at the base of the bluffs. After the flooding of 1927, the town was relocated here, on top of the bluffs.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,374 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.