Columbus

“Help America Discover Columbus”

Canoe our quiet waters, enjoy nature at its best. View raccoons, beaver at work, a variety of birds, maybe see a white tail deer or wild turkey. During the appropriate season, hunt wild turkey, quail, deer and dove. Try your hand at a pheasant drive or a 10-station sporting clay course. Fish in the more than 1000 lakes known as the strip pits for bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and trout. Some of Kansas’ finest fishing.

Originally set out as “Neutral Lands” by the government in 1825 allowing only fishing and hunting with no settlements. In 1855 boundaries were drawn and in 1869 Columbus won the county seat. Beautiful then as now, the Cherokee Sentinel reported in 1868, “They have laid out their town with a large square for the accommodation of public buildings, and wide streets, much resembling Detroit Michigan. A large public well, a fountain of never failing water is procured upon one corner of the square. A splendid view of the surrounding country from the town site, presents itself to the eye of the traveler.”

Columbus Wye and Frisco Caboose

The Columbus Wye is a one of its kind three way switch allowing trains to turn around. The crossing, formerly located in the northern part of Columbus was donated to…

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Things to Do in Columbus

Leave room for the unexpected.

The best parts of a trip rarely show up on an itinerary.

Art by Duke Wellington and Waylord Gregory

Duke Wellington Mural Scenic exploration of the history of Columbus and Kansas. Displayed in the…

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Columbus Museum

"A Town within a Town" A colorful look at the history of Columbus. The unique…

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Take the detour.

The extra miles are often where the story begins.

Columbus Cemeteries

Columbus' cemeteries have records dating back to the 1800s.

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Andrew Carnegie Library

The library is one of 33 Andrew Carnegie libraries in the state of Kansas. It…

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Columbus’ 1880s Town Square

Take a stroll around the 1880's square of Columbus and visit our shops. You must…

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The road is the experience.

Getting there is often the point, not just the outcome.

Columbus Country Club

A nine-hole golf course.

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Big Brutus

One of the most unique day trips in Southeast Kansas is to Big Brutus, 11,000,000…

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1919 Seth Thomas Clock

The clock was originally purchased through public donations as a war memorial for servicemen from…

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All Attractions in Columbus