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History of Columbus Community Iowa
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Store Buildings in Fredonia, Iowa
In the fall of 1836 Alvin Clark laid out the Village of Fredonia.The town was situated on the East Bank of the Iowa River directly below the Junction of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers. The first buildings were log cabins built along the river. The first hotel built in the Town was near the river and called the Ferry House, It was erected about 1847.This point on the river was very important in those early days. For it was also , back then , a favorite trading place for the Indians of the area. And in those early days hundreds at a time would gather there.
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Downtown Columbus City 1890's
The Town of Columbus City was first located about 1/4 mile to the East of the current city. It was laid out in 1840 but was soon after moved to the current location. Edward F. Wilson was the founder of the current placement of the city of Columbus City. The first lots went on sale July 4, 1841.
Columbus City was incorporated as a town in 1871. The first elections were held Saturday, May 27, 1871. Elected that day were: Mayor, Abram Fulton; Recorder, Wesley W. Garner; Councilmen, H.P. May, G.L. Tomes, J.N. Smith, J. Myler and Daniel Morgan.
Columbus City was located along a very important early route between the cities of Burlington and the then Capital city of Iowa City. The Half way point between the two important early Iowa city, allowed Columbus City to be a the over night stay along the trip.
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Early Train at the Sand Bank , Columbus Junction
The first train of cars on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific was run to what was then known as Sand Bank on the 17th day of November, 1857, and was the end of the road until September, 1858, When it was completed to Washington. The station at Sand Bank was then discontinued. When the Burlingotn, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad was located to cross the Rock Island at Sand Bank, J. W. Garner the owner of the land, determined to locate a new town here.
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Downtown Columbus Junction, Iowa 1875
The plat being made and recorded on the 12th day of March 1870, and the first lots were sold to Mr. George Jamison. On the 7th day of February, 1870, the first train of cars on the Burlington, Cedar rapids & Minnesota Railroad came to this point, and on that day the first ticket was sold to Col. W.W. Garner.
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Nathan, John & Ray Blivins in front of the Gilbert House
On the 29th Day of December, 1869, August Gilbert came to the Sand Bank for the purpose of looking up a location. Deciding to locate here, he returned to Muscatine, where he was then residing. He had a house framed, loaded upon the cars of the C,RI&P Railroad, and shipped to Clifton station , and from there had it transported to Sand Bank by horse and wagon then assembled. On the 8th day of Febuary , 1870, opened it up as a restaurant and boarding house.
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The lunch Counter at the Columbus Junction Depot
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