Columbus in Colorado County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Stage Lines Through Columbus
The Brown and Tarbox Stage Service was underway by 1847, carrying mail from Houston to San Antonio, passing through Columbus. Prominent stagecoach operators Sawyer and Risher (later Risher and Hall) utilized several lines that began in Eagle Lake and traveled through Columbus to San Antonio, Austin and Wharton.
By November 1861, the Confederate States Mail Service replaced U.S. mail operations in Texas, and the stage lines continued to carry this mail as well. Traffic also developed between the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado railroad terminus at nearby Alleyton and the cotton shipping points of Brownsville and Matamoros. Stages from Brownsville connected with stage lines from Corpus Christi, Goliad and Victoria to San Antonio via Columbus.
After the Civil War, Risher and Hall resumed operations of their stage lines to San Antonio, but the coming of the railroad soon signaled the end of the stagecoach era in this part of Texas. As a stop on many of the stage routes, Columbus played a significant role in this early transportation network.
Erected 2002 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12722.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1861.
Location. 29° 42.327′ N, 96° 32.329′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Texas, in Colorado County. Marker is on Spring Street east of Travis Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus TX 78934, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Early Site of Doctor Logue's Drugstore (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbus Waterworks (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); District Court Tree (about 300 feet away); Columbus Oak (about 300 feet away); Tumlinson Family (about 300 feet away); 1890 Cornerstone Ceremony (about 300 feet away); The Rangers of Austin's Colony (about 400 feet away); Stafford-Miller House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Also see . . .
1. Handbook of Texas Online. A short history of the Risher and Hall Stage Lines. (Submitted on April 29, 2010.)
2. Stagecoach Lines of Texas. From the Handbook of Texas Online Encyclopedia. (Submitted on April 29, 2010.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,113 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on September 5, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on April 18, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 2. submitted on September 5, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 3. submitted on April 18, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.