Columbus in Colorado County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

1890 Cornerstone Ceremony

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, June 1, 2025

1. 1890 Cornerstone Ceremony Marker

Inscription.
The building of the Colorado County Courthouse began with a public celebration on July 7, 1890. About 3,000 people attended a barbecue in a grove north of town. They later marched to the Courthouse Square in a procession led by a local marching band. Members of Caledonia Lodge No. 68, A.F.&A.M. laid the cornerstone with Masonic ceremonies. Following the ceremony the crowd gathered together for a return procession to the grove. Later that evening a grand ball was held at the Stafford Opera House. The new Courthouse was completed in February 1891.

Erected 1990 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 26.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1891.

Location. 29° 42.362′ N, 96° 32.38′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Texas, in Colorado County. It is at the intersection of Travis Street and Walnut Street (U.S. 90), on the right when traveling south on Travis Street. The marker is on the northeast corner of the building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus TX 78934, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: District Court Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbus Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); Colorado County War Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); William Menefee (within shouting distance of this marker); Colorado County (within shouting distance of this marker); Tumlinson Family (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rangers of Austin's Colony (within shouting distance of this marker); Colorado County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Photographed by Jim Evans, September 1, 2014

2. 1890 Cornerstone Ceremony Marker

The Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, September 1, 2014

3. The Cornerstone

Colorado County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, September 1, 2014

4. Colorado County Courthouse

Photographed by Jim Evans, September 1, 2014

5. 1890 Cornerstone Ceremony Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 930 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 4. submitted on February 3, 2017, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 5. submitted on September 3, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.