Columbus is a city and the seat of Colorado County, Texas, set on the Colorado River about 87 miles west of Houston. With a population of about 3,800, it is a small but historically significant crossroads in the corridor between Houston and San Antonio, with Interstate 10 passing just south of town. The area's settlement predates the city. American settlers arrived in 1821 at a crossing long known to the Spanish and Mexicans as Montezuma, and the community that grew there became the Colorado County seat in 1836. The county's first district court was reportedly convened under the shade of a large oak tree by Judge Robert McAlpin "Three-Legged Willie" Williamson, a story that speaks to the town's deep Texas roots. Columbus is known for its preservation. The Colorado County Courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, anchors a town square ringed by Victorian homes, while the 1886 Stafford Opera House—the only flat-floored opera house still standing in Texas—continues to host performances. Century-old live oaks, including Grandma's Oak on Walnut Street, shade the streets, and the town's Santa Claus Museum adds an unusual local attraction. Modern Columbus is a quiet county seat with a walkable downtown, local shops and a brewery, and a school system centered on the Columbus Independent School District. The Colorado River offers paddling and wildlife watching through town, and the surrounding countryside of ranches and farmland gives the area a distinctly rural character. U.S. 90 and State Highway 71 also pass through or near the city, reinforcing its role as a regional crossroads. Columbus appeals to those seeking small-town living, historic architecture, and convenient access to Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.