AREA ATTRACTIONS |
PHOTOS BY LORI OLIVAREZ-LIGUES
LOCAL TREASURES
Must see sites in Columbus Visitors will want to experience all of these Columbus gems. There are many big oak trees in Columbus, Texas but there’s only one that can proudly attest to being the second largest live oak in Texas and it’s known as the Columbus Oak. The largest live oak in Texas, by the way, is the Big Tree near Rockport. Even though Columbus Oak is currently in second place in the state, it’s still a sight to behold. In addition to this magnificent live oak, there are plenty of others to be found in Columbus’ parks, schoolyards and cemeteries. To find the second largest live oak tree in Texas, travel west from the courthouse on Walnut Street. The tree is on the right, directly opposite the Columbus Tire Center. Parking on the shoulder is limited. The Nesbitt Memorial Library is the municipal library of the City of Columbus, Texas. It is named in honor of the family of Lee Quinn Nesbitt who financed the construction of the building. In keeping with the wishes of Lee Quinn Nesbitt, the library’s donor and benefactor, the library places a strong emphasis on the history, genealogy, literature, and culture of Texas and local residents. The Nesbitt Memorial Library’s mission is to encourage all of the citizens of the community to use the library by providing them with the highest quality library materials that meet their needs in a positive spirit of service under the budgetary specifications of the city. You can find the library at 529 Washington Street in Columbus. When it was originally built in 1886 by cattleman R. E. Stafford, the R. E. Stafford Bank and Opera House housed a bank and dry goods store on the first floor and theater venue on the second floor. The cornerstone displays a steer head and lariat, as ranching was Mr. Stafford’s main source of income. Although called an opera house, no evidence of an opera ever being performed on stage has been uncovered. The opera house designation was common for live theaters during this
The Columbus Oak is the second largest oak tree in Texas.
time period. The Stafford Opera House’s Second Empire-style design is attributed to architect Nicholas Joseph Clayton, an advocate of the High Victorian movement. The last performance at the Stafford Opera House during that era was in 1916. Mrs. Stafford sold the building to Mr. Guilmartin, the owner of the local Ford Motor Company dealership. Mr. Guilmartin moved his dealership to the first floor of the building. In addition to the Ford dealership, the building has served as an arena for basketball games and boxing matches as well as a roller skating rink. During the latter part of World War II, private apartments were built in the stage area of the second floor. In 1972, the Magnolia Homes Tour, Inc. (now the Columbus Historical Preservation Trust, Inc.) bought the property for $30,000 and began restoration efforts. Eighteen years and $1.3 million later, the Stafford Opera House was lovingly restored to its former glory and rededicated in 1990. Tours of the 1886 Stafford Opera House may be arranged by contacting the Columbus Chamber of Commerce at 979-732-8385. How about a trip down the river? Paddling the Colorado River through the town of Columbus you have the opportunity to see wildflowers, birds, turtles and more!
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