The first settlers to live in the area of Columbus village where John Kleiner and J.H. Batzel in 1855. The village was first platted in the spring of 1856 in section 22 by Captain James Starkey and along with fellow commissioner R.C. Knox laid out the St. Paul and Kettle River roads. The village of Columbus continued to grow and by 1857 the village boasted a hotel, store, blacksmith shop, turners shop, wagon maker, gunsmith, twelve dwellings, large schoolhouse, and steam mill. By 1860 the village had a population 119 people.

By the 1880s the logging industry had been depleted and the American Grass Twine Company began to take over as the leading industry in Columbus. The American Grass Twine Company the native wire grass that covered the lowland prairies in the area. This company helped employ 700 to 800 people in their St. Paul factory and 100-250 men in their camps around Columbus.

Columbus Township was platted in 1856 with a town organization being a formed a year later in 1857. It remained a township until 2006 when the town petitioned for it to become a city. The Township of Columbus was incorporated as a city on September 2, 2006.

Today the city of Columbus has continued to thrive and experience growth. It is home to 3,971 residents, 1,416 houses, and 1,119 families. Columbus has become an attractive rural community with easy access to all the amenities of a big city. Columbus is also home to numerous businesses, excellent schools, and great people.

If you have any questions regarding the city of Columbus, Minnesota, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit TwinCitiesPropertyFinder.com or call 1-800-909-1953.