The Stafford Opera House is the only surviving opera house in Texas with a ground-level auditorium. Built in 1886, the building features Second Empire architecture and handmade bricks. Its original layout combined commerce and theater: the ground floor housed a bank and a dry goods store, while the theater auditorium was upstairs. This building brings architecture and everyday history together in a direct way.
Historic Buildings and Local History
The Colorado County Courthouse in Columbus also anchors a historic center. Completed in 1891 in the style of a Renaissance Revival temple, the restored building stands at the heart of the town square and the surrounding historic district. The Alley Log Cabin offers a different contrast: this two-room oak cabin was built in 1836. Together, these buildings illustrate very different forms of regional architectural history.
The Antique Tool Museum displays equipment and tools used in farming, ranching, blacksmithing, carpentry and wheelwrighting alongside items from pioneer life. The collection also includes barbed wire found in Colorado County. The different trades offer visitors a tangible perspective on craftsmanship and daily work.
The Dilue Rose Harris House Museum preserves the historic home built by Dilue Rose Harris and her husband in 1858, where they lived with their nine children. The furnishings include walnut and Texas pine furniture from the Columbus area, dating to the early Victorian period. Tours can be arranged through the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
Weimar: History, Exhibits and Local Cuisine
The Heritage Society Museum of Weimar traces the town’s history back to a Spanish land grant from 1831 and displays items belonging to the town’s founder, D. W. Jackson. A Main Street exhibit recreates early local businesses and institutions: visitors can see, among other things, a dentist’s office, a department store, a bank, a blacksmith shop and a newspaper print shop, as well as a barbershop and a beauty salon. This lets you encounter local history not just as a chronology, but through the places where daily life unfolded.
Food is also part of this glimpse into local tradition. The museum explains that poppy seed kolaches were among the traditional foods of German families. Those who would rather explore market stalls can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, handcrafted goods and homemade treats at the Weimar Farmers Market. The market takes place from March through November on the third Saturday of each month at the City Pool Pavilion in downtown Weimar.
Grasslands, Lakeshores and River Landscapes
The Attwater Prairie-Chicken National Wildlife Refuge includes one of the most significant remaining expanses of native grassland in Colorado County. The Horseshoe Lake Trail runs along Horseshoe Lake and through shoreline habitats. The trail also includes an observation blind and a covered viewing platform. It therefore combines views of the shoreline with designated wildlife-viewing spots.
At Eagle Lake, Eagle Lake Municipal Park offers one of the few public places to view the lake. Its boardwalk winds through a wooded area with abundant birdlife and ends at a viewing platform overlooking Eagle Lake. Unlike the trail at Horseshoe Lake, this route passes through a wooded area; both trails offer their own perspectives on the water and shoreline.
The Columbus Paddling Trail runs for 6.5 miles along the Colorado River through Columbus. The trip usually takes two to five hours, with opportunities along the way to spot wildflowers, birds and turtles. This estimated time range helps you plan your day without implying that every trip takes exactly the same amount of time.
Markets, Art and Events
The Columbus Country Market features local crafts, fresh vegetables, plants, handmade goods and live music. In 2026, it is scheduled to take place on the last Saturday of each month from March through November, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Courthouse Square in downtown Columbus. The Magnolia Days Festival in Columbus is a free, two-day festival; check the dates before traveling, as they may change.
The Colorado County Fair takes place annually and features a rodeo, barbecue competition, rides, livestock shows and live music. Since the program may change, it’s worth checking the latest schedule. Art offers another facet: the Live Oak Art Center in the historic Brunson Building in Columbus has a permanent collection, hosts about ten exhibitions a year and offers educational programs for the local community.
Discover more destinations: Columbus, Weimar, Eagle Lake, Howard, Kaufman, Fisher County, Motley County, Gaines County.
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
