Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Below: maps from 1925 on and the census since 1880.
Columbus dates its founding to 1835 (Wikipedia’s history). The census first counted it in 1880.
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Columbus’s history is told.
Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.
On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological SurveyEvery edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Columbus. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Columbus.
From Wikipedia’s history of Columbus.
Columbus was platted in 1835. A post office called Columbus was established in 1837, and remained in operation until 1963.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Passages that mention Columbus, cut from the printed page as they were published.
Plere, however, we are dealing only with the Catholic chaplain. Nor do we attempt to distinguish clearly between the chaplains who were assisted in doing the work their superiors assigned them by Knights of Columbus funds and known as Knights of Columbus chaplains, and chaplains appointed by the United States Government, We feel justified in failing to draw this distinction too clearly by the fact that, so far as we are aware, all the chaplains who served
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
C()tuml>iia. — Tlie town of Columbus to constitute one precinct, and the red school house in the village of Columbus to be the place of voting. Gilmer. — The" town of Gilmer to constitute one preciiict, and the McNeil school house to be the place of voting.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Sec. 4. Within five days after said election is held, the judges of said election shall make returns of the jioll. books thereof to Wesley D. McCann, at his office, in the town of Columbus, in said county of Highland, or in case of his death or absence, to James A. Bell, at his oflice, in said town of Columbus, who, together with two justices of the peace of said connly, shall meet within eight d.iys from tlie said day of election, at the ofiice of the said Wesley D. McCann or James A. Bell, (as the case may be) and then and there open and compare said poll-books and returns, as aforesaid, and do and perform all such acts as are required by the laws ot this State. Open returns are made to the County Commissiimers'
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
He grew up on a farm in Columbus Township, and after the death of his fatlier became administrator of the estate and carried out strictly the provisions of his father's will, providing for his sisters and mother. In 1875 he bought his present farm in section 18 of Columbus Town.ship, a half mile from the Village of Columbus. There he has lived in prosperity and comfort for over forty years, and has made one of the good country homes of that locality. He has a seven room house, excellent farm buildings, and the farm is now operated by his son Ernest.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
Weddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Between 83 and 235 people in every census since 1880.
15 censuses, 1880–2020.
U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Columbus’ Wikipedia page.
Nobody well known was born in Columbus itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.
Columbus had its own post office from 1837 to 1963.
US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock, CC0). Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
In 1835, according to Wikipedia’s history of the town. Columbus’ post office opened in 1837, and the census of 1880 counted 235 people here.
What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From Wikipedia, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
