Columbus dates to 2006, and 1 of its places is on the National Register
More historic than 38% of U.S. towns · #139 of 273 in Minnesota. What drives it
Most of Columbus was built recently: 9% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1984. 1 place in town is on the National Register, among them a historic district with 11 buildings. Below: maps from 1955 on and the census since 1860.
On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Columbus is more historic than 38% of U.S. towns, #139 of 273 in Minnesota. Its National Register listings hold the grade up; its age pulls it down.
C+
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Columbus’ overall grade.
Minnesota towns list about as much on the Register as the country (a typical Minnesota town has 2.1 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Columbus’ 25.9 sits above most of its state (87% of Minnesota towns have fewer) while its 11 historic buildings outnumber those of 76% of U.S. towns.
NoteThe founding year comes from Wikidata alone; no second source gives 2006.
How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from D to B+. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±5.1 points).
Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
What stands out about Columbus’ past
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
The city was known as Columbus Township until September 21, 2006, when it was incorporated as the city of Columbus, in response to concerns that the adjacent city of Forest Lake was planning to annex portions of the township.
Mel Mettler, the first mayor of Columbus, was reelected in 2008. Ron Hanegraaf was elected mayor in 2024.
Running Aces Harness Park, a 5/8 mile harness horse racing track, opened in Columbus in April 2008.
Passages that mention Columbus, cut from the printed page as they were published.
History of Anoka County and the towns of Champlin and Dayton in Hennepin County, Minnesota1905 · page 76Read the page →
Read the text
In 1855 Captain James Starkey of St. Paul undertook the task of building up the village of Columbus. It was situated in the southern part of the present town of that name. A saw mill was built, and also a commodious hotel. In 1857 the place was large enough to poll 69 votes. Twenty years later only a few decaying logs in the brush and a cellar full of rubbish served to mark the spot.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
History of Anoka County and the towns of Champlin and Dayton in Hennepin County, Minnesota1905 · page 237Read the page →
Read the text
Christian Heil (son of John Heil) was born in the town of Columbus, Anoka county, Mardi 10, 1859. He worked on his father's farm in that town until he was of age, and in 1884 he purchased eighty acres in section 11, town of Columbus, wiicre he still lives. He also owns eighty acres near the Linwood line.
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.
Timeline
Columbus, 1955 to 2020
Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.
In 2006, according to Wikidata. the census of 1860 counted 119 people here.
How does Columbus rank for history?
Columbus is more historic than 38% of U.S. towns, #139 of 273 in Minnesota. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
What is on the National Register in Columbus?
One place: the Avery, Carlos, Game Farm (listed 1991).
How old are the homes in Columbus?
9% of Columbus’ homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±5.1 points), against a typical 8.1% for a Minnesota town; the median home was built in 1984.
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).
From Wikimedia Commons (4), the National Register of Historic Places (1), Wikipedia, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), 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.
2016
2016
2016
2016
