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.”
Things to Do in Columbus
Columbus’ 1880s Town Square
Take a stroll around the 1880's square of Columbus and visit our shops. You must…
Learn more →Andrew Carnegie Library
The library is one of 33 Andrew Carnegie libraries in the state of Kansas. It…
Learn more →1919 Seth Thomas Clock
The clock was originally purchased through public donations as a war memorial for servicemen from…
Learn more →Big Brutus
One of the most unique day trips in Southeast Kansas is to Big Brutus, 11,000,000…
Learn more →Columbus Wye and Frisco Caboose
The Columbus Wye is a one of its kind three way switch allowing trains to…
Learn more →Columbus Museum
"A Town within a Town" A colorful look at the history of Columbus. The unique…
Learn more →Art by Duke Wellington and Waylord Gregory
Duke Wellington Mural Scenic exploration of the history of Columbus and Kansas. Displayed in the…
Learn more →Upcoming Events
Nearby Lakes & Parks
All Attractions in Columbus
- 1919 Seth Thomas Clock
- Andrew Carnegie Library
- Art by Duke Wellington and Waylord Gregory
- Big Brutus
- Columbus Cemeteries
- Columbus Country Club
- Columbus Museum
- Columbus Wye and Frisco Caboose
- Columbus’ 1880s Town Square
- Columus Parks
- Genealogical Society
- The Columbus Trolley
- Turn of the Century Churches