Columbus in Colorado County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Columbus Waterworks
Photographed By Gregory Walker, February 5, 2010
1. Columbus Waterworks Marker
Inscription.
Columbus Waterworks. . In 1824 the Mexican government granted to Elizabeth Tumlinson and her heirs the land and water rights to this area in the center of Stephen F. Austin's colony. The town of Columbus developed from a small frontier community. A fire in May 1883 destroyed a livery stable and hotel, threatening downtown Columbus to such a degree that the city council was spurred to action. The Commissioners Court erected a water tower on the courthouse square and a brick pump well based on Spring Street. A water main with seven hydrants was laid around the business district that year and by December 1883 the city organized a fire department. Despite the fact that the water from the Colorado River was processed through a filter before it was carried along the pipes to the citizens of Columbus, it was not always suitable for drinking. The city of Columbus contracted for an artesian well in September 1890. Work on the well was difficult and completion took six months because of several delays. The project was nearly abandoned. In 1909 there were about 100 consumers of the water from Columbus' public water well, which could hold about five hundred gallons at a time and was cut off each night. The river water was considered unfit for drinking. The city installed meters at this time. By 1912 the city faced a water shortage. A new steel tower and reservoir were erected, though citizens continued to value the artesian well for its purported purity and medicinal properties well into the 1930s.
In 1824 the Mexican government granted to Elizabeth Tumlinson and her heirs the land and water rights to this area in the center of Stephen F. Austin's colony. The town of Columbus developed from a small frontier community. A fire in May 1883 destroyed a livery stable and hotel, threatening downtown Columbus to such a degree that the city council was spurred to action. The Commissioners Court erected a water tower on the courthouse square and a brick pump well based on Spring Street. A water main with seven hydrants was laid around the business district that year and by December 1883 the city organized a fire department. Despite the fact that the water from the Colorado River was processed through a filter before it was carried along the pipes to the citizens of Columbus, it was not always suitable for drinking. The city of Columbus contracted for an artesian well in September 1890. Work on the well was difficult and completion took six months because of several delays. The project was nearly abandoned. In 1909 there were about 100 consumers of the water from Columbus' public water well, which could hold about five hundred gallons at a time and was cut off each night. The river water was considered unfit for drinking. The city installed meters at this time. By 1912 the city faced a water shortage. A new steel tower and reservoir were
Click or scan to see this page online
erected, though citizens continued to value the artesian well for its purported purity and medicinal properties well into the 1930s.
Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18882.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1883.
Location. 29° 42.326′ N, 96° 32.272′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Texas, in Colorado County. Marker is at the intersection of Front Street and Spring Street, on the right when traveling north on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus TX 78934, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 890 times since then and 6 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.