National Register of Historic Places listings in Colorado County, Texas facts for kids

Location of Colorado County in Texas

This article is about special places in Colorado County, Texas that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This register is like a national list of important buildings, sites, and objects that are worth saving because of their history. In Colorado County, there are seven places on this list, including buildings and even a historic road! Two places that were once on the list have since been removed.

Historic Places in Colorado County

These are the amazing places in Colorado County that are currently on the National Register of Historic Places. Each one tells a part of the area's story.

Colorado County Courthouse: A Grand Building

The Colorado County Courthouse is a very important building in Columbus, Texas. It was built between 1890 and 1891. This courthouse is designed in a style called Neoclassical, which means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It even has the shape of a Greek cross, which is a cross with four arms of equal length. This beautiful building was added to the National Register on July 12, 1976.

Columbus Historic District: A Walk Through Time

The Colorado County Courthouse Historic District in Columbus is not just one building, but a whole area! It includes the courthouse and many other historic buildings around it. Walking through this district is like taking a step back in time. It shows how the town looked and grew over the years. This district was recognized on June 23, 1978.

Eagle Lake's Old Shops and Stores

The Eagle Lake Commercial Historic District is in the town of Eagle Lake, Texas. This district covers several streets with old shops and businesses. These buildings show what the main street looked like when the town was first growing. It's a great example of early 20th-century small-town life. This area became a historic district on June 5, 2007.

Harrison-Hastedt House: A Historic Home

The Harrison-Hastedt House is a historic home located at 236 Preston Street in Columbus, Texas. This house is a great example of the architecture from its time. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 22, 2004.

Old Spanish Trail: A Road with History

The Old Spanish Trail from US 90 to I-10 is a section of an old road near Columbus, Texas. This part of the road, County Road 268, was once part of a much longer route called the Old Spanish Trail. This trail was an important route for travel and trade across the southern United States. It was listed on April 16, 2013, showing how even roads can be historically important.

Stafford Bank and Opera House: Entertainment and Business

The Stafford Bank and Opera House is a unique building in Columbus, Texas, located at Milan and Spring Streets. It was finished in 1886 and is built in the Second Empire style, which was popular for grand buildings. This building was special because it housed both a bank and an opera house! Imagine going to the bank and then watching a show in the same building. It was added to the National Register on May 8, 1973.

State Highway 3 Bridge: Crossing the Colorado River

The State Highway 3 Bridge at the Colorado River is an old bridge near Columbus, Texas. It's located on U.S. Route 90 and crosses the Colorado River. This bridge is a Parker through truss bridge, which is a type of bridge design that uses strong metal frames. It was built in 1932 and was an important part of the state's transportation system. It was listed on October 10, 1996.

Former Historic Listings

Sometimes, places are removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This can happen if a building is changed too much, or if it is unfortunately destroyed. Here are two places in Colorado County that were once on the list:

• The John Stafford House was located south of Columbus on U.S. Route 71. It was listed on May 3, 1976, but was removed on August 30, 1994.
• The Zimmerscheidt-Leyendecker House was also located south of Columbus on U.S. Route 71. It was listed on March 30, 1979, but its delisting date is unknown.

Images for kids

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  The grand Colorado County Courthouse in Columbus.

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  A view of the Colorado County Courthouse Historic District.

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  Buildings in the Eagle Lake Commercial Historic District.

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  The historic Harrison-Hastedt House.

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  A section of the Old Spanish Trail in Colorado County.

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  The historic Stafford Bank and Opera House.

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  The State Highway 3 Bridge over the Colorado River.