The twelve men who formed the Columbus Town Company came to the site chosen earlier a scouting party of three, and laid out site on May 28, 1856. It was named for Columbus Ohio, from which most of these pioneers came. The site was chosen because of its logical location on the proposed route of the much talk about Pacific railroad which would connect the east and the west. Another enterprising corporation, the Town of Pawnee City, had previously established a ferry across the Loup river just west of the Columbus site. These two companies consolidated in July, 1856. The original townsite was surveyed and laid out into 155 blocks of 8 lots each.

The first house was a crude log affair, roofed with grass. Here members of the Town Company lived and transacted business for the first year, the wife of one member coming from Ohio to cook for the men. As many as five "paper" towns were located in this vicinity, but none of them survived.

That fall more settlers came, and after a hard winter, spring augmented their numbers. This winter was extremely severe. The settlers suffered from the cold, and from lack of provisions, which had to be hauled a week's journey, flour being milled either at Calhoun or Milford.

The Postoffice was established in 1857, and mail brought by ox team from Omaha. The first business of the town was Rickly's saw and grist mill, which began operations in the fall of '57. The same year saw the opening of a general store and the arrival of the first doctor. Dr. Charles Stillman walked out from Omaha and stayed.

The year 1858 saw the incorporation of the city by 16 citizens, and Platte County was made to include its western neighbor, Monroe County, Columbus was made the county seat. Late in the same year the Town Company erected the American Hotel Building. Court was held in 1859 in the Town House. The business street then was the present 7th street, with two stores and a blacksmith operating. In that one year the ferry did the biggest business, transferring about 4,000 vehicles across the Loup River. Much indian trouble culminated in the so-called Pawnee War, and Platte county, including Columbus, raised 50 men to fight the redskins.

In 1860, the Western Union Telegraph company opened an office here, an event of the utmost importance in the growth of the town. The same year, St. John's Catholic Church was organized north of town. A school was organized and public school was held in the old Company house. Ar this time the country along the rivers was heavily wooded, and the sawmill employed upwards of twenty men. In October, 1861, telegraphic communication from coast to coast was completed.

Meantime, the Civil war had begun, and the business of outfitting emigrants and gold seekers fell off. About eighteen or twenty men from this vicinity enlisted for the service in the war. The little town did not materially progress until after 1863, when free homesteads in the west attracted a new tide of settlers and more emigrant traffic business. Also, in December, 1863, the Union Pacific railroad broke ground at Omaha. At this time, the ferry across the Loup river proving inadequate, a pontoon bridge was erected, which was in use during the summer and taken up during freezing weather. Portions of this bridge were frequently destroyed by flood, but no permanent bridge was built for more than ten years. The most exciting event of the summer of 1863 was an Indian raid scare, this time the fierce Sioux were the troublemakers. The whole countryside was alarmed and took refuge in the city of Columbus, where a stockade was built, home guards organized, and an anxious ten days of suspense lived through without a battle. The next year the Pawnee Scouts headed by Major Frank North and Capt. Luther North were organized to guard the surveys for the Union Pacific railroad.

In 1865 the public schools employed a superintendent and five teachers. This same year a Congregational Church Society and a Latter Day Saint's Church were organized, although an itinerant Methodist preacher had held services in the American hotel previously, and the Columbus cemetery was enlarged and incorporated.

The year 1866 witnessed the momentous laying of the railroad line through Columbus, when a crowd of 75 people watched the tracklaying. Now the town began to boom. The brewery was built (some historians say this was built in 1864). A newspaper was started, which carried advertising indicating that there were no less than five grocery, dry goods and outfitting stores, as well as three blacksmiths, two physicians and druggists, as well as four or five lawyers and real estate dealers, and a coffinmaker. "The Golden Age," was short lived, and was followed by "The Platte Valley Journal," which lived about one year.

Now the railroad became a dividing line in the town and many businesses had moved up from 7th street to 11th and 12th. The depot was a wooden structure a block west of its present location. A large hotel, the interesting Hammond house with perpetually reserved room for the President of the united States, was brought from the defunct city of Cleveland, Nebraska, and located where the Meridian Hotel now stands.

The year 1867 was a year of bad floods, and all the south part of town was inundated. 1868 saw the building of the elevator, with storage for 15,000 bushels. In 1869, the Union Pacific built a larger elevator and the Clothier House hotel was built. 1870 saw the completion of a permanent bridge across the Platte river, attracting trade from the southern counties and "The Columbus Journal" made its first appearance May 11 of that year. The Platte county court house was built, a two-story brick building which occupied a square between 9th and 10th streets and 20th and 21st Avenues. The court house bonds ran for twenty years at ten percent interest. In the town were numerous two-story residences, a Farmer's Home where traders drove in with their wagons from distances of 50 miles, a jewelry store and photograph gallery and there were several business houses north of the railroad.

The year 1871 saw the establishment of a private bank by Gerrard and Reed. The population in 1872 was 1,000; railroad rates were reduced from 10 to 5 cents a mile; sugar was 14 cents a pound; venison could be bought in the meat markets for 8 cents a pound; wheat was $1.10 a bushel; a good house and lot could be purchased for $1,000.00; milk was delivered by wagon at 3 cents per quart; itinerant dentists worked in the drug stores for a week at a time; a stockyard was built at the railroad; there were six churches holding services; and a town hall was built in Frankfort square. The next year, two disastrous blizzards did much damage, a dentist established residence, the first brick school building was built, as well as eleven new business houses and thirty dwellings. The Fire department was organized in 1873 and incorporated in '74 when the city bought a hook and ladder truck and a hand engine which were housed in the city hall and filled with water at a well on 12th street. The Town Company was dissolved in 1873, 1874 was a grasshopper year, even the paint being removed from buildings by the hungry pests. A city band was organized. For amusements in the winter there were dances and in the summer ice cream and strawberry festivals. There was much unsuccessful agitation to move the capitol from Lincoln to Columbus; a brickyards was established; you could purchase steam washing machines at a hardware store; there was a delivery wagon for a bakery; three trains each way over the Union Pacific and a stage route between Columbus and Albion and Genoa; another new hotel opened up; another private bank; citizens were surrounding their fine residences with "nice board fences."

There was still a danger of prairie fires in 1875. A race track was laid out and the first Platte County fair was held there in September. The two private banks consolidated into a state bank; a circulating library was started; a literary-and debating society organized; a French restaurant appeared; the town was assured of the building of the Burlington branch road from Lincoln; and altogether by the time our fair city was twenty years old it could be proud of its growth and accomplishments.

The year 1877 witnessed the establishment by the Catholics of the Franciscan monastery and Catholic church; a Methodist church was built; and a fine new livery stable. In 1878 the Catholic school was built, and a fine Opera House, still standing as Orpheus Hall. The Grand Pacific hotel was built in 1879 as a cost of $5000.00, which would accommodate 50 guests; the Sisters of St. Francis built a hospital building; and a pork packing company opened for business where the Union Pacific and Burlington railroad tracks cross.

In 1880 another bank opened for business, a new brick brewery was built, and a Baptist church organized. The Burlington line to Lincoln was completed. In 1881 the U P. built the round house here. The Columbus Creamery Association opened for business with a capacity for making 1,000 pounds of butter per day. Meantime, the Platte County Fair had failed, and in 1881 the Columbus Driving Park and Fair Association organized and bought property a mile north of town where races were held. A high school was started in the old Congregational church building, and a building built especially for high school was opened for use in 1885. In 1882, the Anderson and Roen bank became a national bank. In 1883 there were a few telephones in use; a green house was built; the banks advertised they would trade dollars at eighty cents on the dollar. Those must have been hard times. The newspapers mention improvements of sidewalks and crossings and that the town needed a lamp on Olive Street near the elevator and another near the U. P. track. The 70s were noted for spiritual and intellectual growth, three more churches being established and six or seven fraternal organizations. In 1884 there were 40 telephones in town; the Chautauqua reading society was organized; a canning factory and a washing machine factory were in operation; times were admitted to be hard but a new Lutheran church was built. There were several accidents caused by runaway horses.

In 1885 the first class was graduated from the new High school building and a private kindergarten opened for pupils; some cement walks were laid which were considered a great improvement over the old wooden ones; a building and loan association was incorporated the Nebraska Telephone company installed a long distance line connecting with Omaha and Lincoln, but most important of all for the city was the organization of the water works and electric light company. An editorial of this year insists that business is looking up, but it was the coldest winter on record; there was an epidemic of diphtheria; a series of disastrous fires; and so many tramps came into town that it was suggested a wood lot should be opened to give them work. This winter the Columbus Lyceum held weekly meetings and debates.

The population of Columbus in 1886 was 2500. The water works were put into operation, and a private sewage disposal system was built by the Catholic Sisters for their buildings and was used by some individuals until 1891 when the city put in a system.

There were in the city at this time about ten or a dozen saloons, and the papers of the day comment upon bad moral conditions. The Womens Christian Temperance Union had been organized in 1877, and the Women's Suffrage Association in 1881. Women were beginning to take part in politics and were urged to vote at school elections if they owned property or had children of school age.

In 1887 the Columbus Board of Trade was organized with 80 business men as members. A motor railway system was actually incorporated. The Union Pacific railway built at fine new depot of Colorado sandstone. The water works were completed and proved very efficient, especially in fighting fires. The Commercial Bank was incorporated but did not open for business until January 1st, 1888. '88 was also the year of the great blizzard, still talked of by those who lived here then. A Young Men's Christian Association organized and met in rooms in the North building. This organization also housed the books which made up the public library. Both YMCA and library were short lived at this time.

In 1889 the street car line was in operation, with tickets six for a quarter. This consisted of 2 horse drawn cars running on tracks. New bridges were completed across both the Platte and Loup rivers. The Thurston hotel was built. The Postoffice was moved north of the railroad track. A daily paper was published.

Times were hard in 1890. Public works were urged for the unemployed. Columbus raised a car load of food and clothing for relief of drought sufferers in the western part of the state. A second wooden shoe factory was opened. The windmill factory went into the hands of the creditors. The street car line ran intermittently. Frances Willard talked at the Opera house. "Gift houses" were raffled off. Corn was only 14 cents a bushel. Free delivery of mail was inaugurated.

A large cold storage building was built in 1891. A private sewer system for the western part of the city was built. 8 new business buildings and 6 dwellings were constructed during this year. Columbus Day, 1892, was fittingly celebrated in October, with 4,000 people marching in a parade. The population of Columbus in 1893 was claimed to be 3,500; a new Masonic Temple was built on 13th street between 25th and 26th avenues. R. G. Dun and Co. called the year 1893 the worst in fifty years all over the United States, and the depression was evident here, also. There was a bad flood of the Loup river, destroying the railroad bridge. People were urged to beware of counterfeit dollars! In spite of the admittedly terrible times. Two schools buildings were built in the third ward in 1894. At a sale of horses held this year, one brought an all-time low price of $1.55, and 5 were sold for less than five dollar. Nevertheless, a fund of $50,000.00 was subscribed toward that elusive power and irrigation which should be dug from Genoa to Columbus.

In 1895 a Woman's Club was organized and a woman ran for county Superintendent of Schools, but she was defeated. A normal and Business College opened its doors for pupils, and a phonograph concert was held as a church benefit. The next year saw the closing of the Y.M.C.A. The whole town was worked up over a shortage in the county treasurer's office. It was cheaper to burn corn than coal. In 1897 the first moving pictures was shown in town. The Sheep Ranch was put into operation as a feeding place for thousands of sheep. In this year Patrick Murray's claim against the government for the loss of stock and property during the Indian raid of 1863 was finally paid. Three firms of lawyers who had pressed the claim had died before collecting.

In 1898 water from the big ditch was expected here, but did not arrive. The second attempt at a daily newspaper suspended business for want of support. There was a big peace celebration over the end of war with Spain. The fair grounds north of town were sold, and the fair discontinued. A public library was opened over the present Columbus Bank and the city clerk acted as librarian.

In 1899 the new high school building was opened to students; a monument to the soldiers was erected by popular subscription in the center of Frankfort Square where a drinking fountain formerly stood. In 1900 public library rooms were opened with a librarian in charge. In 1901 the fine North Opera House was built north of the tracks. In 1902 the Independent Telephone company operated in competition with the long-distance Bell company. In 1903 a new brick yards was opened. There was a big flood of the Loup river; the sheep-feeding ranch was discontinued; the Commercial Club was adding new members to its roll.

In 1904 it was the Platte river than went on a rampage and for some weeks after the bridge went out, farmers ferried their produce across to merchants of this town. A gymnasium was added to the high school building. The city suffered its most disastrous fire, when the Gluck Department Store burned to the ground with a loss of $50,000.00. Automobiles were curiosities upon the streets. In 1905 free city delivery was established. There were five buildings, two parochial schools, ten churches, two opera houses, six halls and lodge rooms, and a commercial college, in business there were three banks, one building and loan company, five hotels, four restaurants, three jewelry stores, two photographers, three lumber yards, four bakeries, five drug stores, four dry goods stores, six general merchandise, seven grocery, five hardware, three implement, three millinery, two furniture dealers, one piano store, six livery barns, eleven saloons, two livestock dealers, four blacksmiths, four real estate dealers, three coal offices, three elevators, three English and one German weekly paper and one daily paper, and seventeen factories and whole-sale houses.

In 1906, a second National bank was opened for business. About this time there was considerable agitation for a Y. M. C. A. building, which culminated in the erection of the fine brick building with cornerstone laid in 1907 and building opened in 1908. In 1907 Columbus became a city of the 1st class meaning that it had reached a population of 5,000. This same year four people were drowned in a flood of the Loup river, water over-taking them in crossing the old railroad Y on the Meridian highway. Races were held at a new race track north of town. 1908 saw the completion of the Hord elevator. A gas company was franchised and artificial gas was sold for cooking and lighting in 1909. This same year the city took over the old private electric light plant and put in new machinery and electric flat irons and shaving mugs were all the rage. In 1910, the Union Pacific completed the present passenger depot. The city hall and fire department building and jail on 24th avenue were built in 1911, and the federal Postoffice building was opened the same year. 1912 saw the building of the Maennerchor Hall on 11th street. The papers continued to say that the work on the "big ditch' (power canal) will begin soon. In 1913, the Lyric theater building was built, the Evans hotel, the Third Ward school building was opened for use; electroliers were installed to light the business district and the park. 1914 was a banner year for improvements, the present public library (Carnegie) building was built, the Masonic building was started, and storm water sewers were installed.

The year 1915 was not a lively one for business, nevertheless, after much litigation work began on paving the business district, a packing house was erected west of town, and the Columbus Fuel and Storage building was opened, as was also the Highland Park school building. The two telephone companies of the town merged, and there was a movement afoot to start a country club. 1916 promised a new Burlington depot and improved service over that branch railroad; the old fire bell was removed from the park, two new church buildings were erected and the Swan theater was in construction. It was the beginning of war prosperity, for there were 52 building permits issued that year.

There was a new bank opened (Farmer State) in 1917; the vegetable canning factory opened; the first chain store (Woolworth's, opened; the Polish Catholic Church was built; the city's thirteen saloons turned to soft drinks. Liberty bonds, Red Cross, and other war work occupied the people, sugar was rationed. 1918 saw the city offices installed in the Weaver building on 24th Avenue; the "seedling mile" of concrete paving was constructed south of the Loup river bridge; the German National Bank had to change its name to Central. There was an epidemic of "flu" and no public meetings were held for several weeks. Then the signing of the armistice stopped most of the war activities.

In 1919, street names were changed to numbered streets and avenues; work began on Kramer High school; the country club enlarged; new First and Fourth Ward school buildings were built; the American Legion was organized; work on the court house building began. 1920 saw the election of the Evans hospital (now Lutheran) 26 dealers showed cars in an auto show; litigation delayed work on the court house; the Burlington opened its own depot again after war use of the U. P. the Columbus Roller Mill burned, loss $75,000.00.

Funds were raised for European relief in 1921. The city council passed an ordinance banning the "shimmy" on local dance floors. In 1922, the city welfare board was organized; the Business and Professional Women formed a service club; the court house building was opened for use. Talk of a viaduct over the U. P. railroad tracts started in 1923; a radio concert was held at the Elks Club ; a credit rating bureau was organized as part of the Commercial Club activities; 57 new homes were built. 1924 saw the adoption of plans for the Kramer high school building; talk of the Pawnee Park development became general; 48 new houses were built. The first Mid-Nebraska Fair was held. The high school building was completed in 1925; the city purchased the private sanitary sewer systems which were in operation and combined them with the publicly owned system. Pawnee Park was improved. In 1926 the country club built its present home; the Columbus Theater was built and the Pawnee Theater opened on 11th street. In 1927 the Columbus Post Office became 1st class. The Orpheus society disbanded, and the Eagles purchased their hall. The Oregon Trail was marked with a statue by the local D.A.R. 1928, saw the disbanding of the Maennerchor Singing Society and sale of their hall. The canning factory was sold and renovated into a modern bakery building; the city employed a paid welfare worker.

In 1929, the first "talkies" were heard at the Columbus Theater; a flying field was opened north of town. There were 12 automobile dealers in town. The Municipal swimming pool at Pawnee Park was opened in 1930; the Postoffice did its greatest volume of business; work was started on the long talked of viaduct over the railroad tracks. Two banks (1st National and Central National) consolidated. 1931 saw completion of the viaduct, the removal of the old railroad Y; the new telephone building was occupied and automatic phones were installed. Two banks closed their doors. The depression had begun. 1932 saw the building of the fine bridges over the Loup and Platte rivers; the closing of another bank; and new agitation to secure government funds for the long awaited Columbus-Genoa power canal, and the use of natural gas for cooking and heating. In 1933 still another bank closed, leaving just one bank in the city; merchants instituted the use of "barter bonds" or scrip for services. It was a year of bleak depression. Public works were the order of the day to give employment to those out of work. In 1931 the city gave a public dinner in honor of the 88th birthday of her distinguished citizen, Captain Luther North Actual construction stared on the power canal. The new streamlined train was put into operation on the Union Pacific. Work started on the city hall and auditorium building. 1935 saw the city building completed and in use; a new bank opened for business; great activity along the route of the power canal and a large influx of employees and workers on the project dispelled the depression gloom. Saloons again opened for business under the new name of liquor stores. Two credit companies deal in farm products other than grain; four radio service companies are required to take care of the radio business.

One of the most substantial additions to the business of the city for year 1936 is the Columbus Sales Pavilion, where stock is auctioned every Saturday. The population of Columbus is now nearly nine thousand. The town which was once amply served by six livery stables in horse and buggy days, now has upwards of fifty businesses connected with the automobile industry. Auto camps and tourist homes take care of the transients, only two hotels maintain dining rooms in connection. Time, and the energy of man, have wrought great change in the town laid out with such high hoes eighty years ago. On our eightieth birthday anniversary, we can be justly proud of Columbus, and with the completion of the power canal in sight, the city which began with a single industry on the banks of the Loup, takes a new lease on the future.

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The above article was donated by Richard Walters, owner of the Art Printery. It was taken from the book, '80 Years Of Progress', which his father had printed back in 1936. The Art Printery originally began back in 1912, when Mr. Walters' father place the first shop above Fleischer Drug Store, and it remained in the family until 1998.

The article is appearing as it was printed 70 years ago...