Local area

Designed by Eugene Heiner in 1891, this building is the third courthouse erected in Columbus, with the first having been built in 1836. One courthouse was to be of pine harvested in Bastrop and floated down the Colorado, but high water sent the wood floating right past Columbus (and not a few surprised carpenters). Attractions includes a Tiffany-style stained glass dome in the 2nd floor district courtroom and a Seth Thomas clock on the first floor.

Erected in 1886 by cattleman and banker Robert Stafford, this beautiful, fully-restored building is the largest flat-floored opera house in the state. Through the years, the building served as a performing arts facility, as apartments and as one of the first Ford Automobile Dealerships in the country. Today, the facility houses office space, a small museum and plays host to professionally produced dinner theater during season from October to June.

www.splashwaywaterpark.com

Tree lovers must see the Second Largest Recorded Live Oak Tree in Texas. This massive tree is recognized by the Texas Forest Service among their “Registry of Champion Big Trees,” and is believed to be the 2nd largest in the state. Thought to be approximately 500 years old, the tree has a score of 413 on the index scoring system, which combines the tree’s circumference, height and one-fourth of the average crown spread. It measures 75 feet tall and 310 inches in circumference.