Capt. William G. Hunt House
Columbus, Colorado County, Texas
Marker Inscription
On land originally owned by Bluford DeWeese, founder of Columbus, Capt. William G. Hunt (1813-1898) purchased this house in August 1859, and lived here until his death. He was a Virginian who came to Columbus around 1831, and fought in the 1835 Battle of Gonzales and the subsequent capture of San Antonio. A farmer and trader by occupation, Capt. Hunt also served in the 13th Texas Infantry during the Civil War. He was on the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church and donated land for the original church on Milam Street. This house, built around 1858, is considered to be the oldest in Columbus. Multiple renovations occurred over the years, but it retains the basic structure, pine floors and ceilings. RECORDED TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARK – 1973
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Virginia-born William G. Hunt came to Columbus around 1831 and threw himself into the making of Texas, fighting at the 1835 Battle of Gonzales — the "come and take it" opening of the Texas Revolution — and in the capture of San Antonio that followed. A farmer and trader who later served in the 13th Texas Infantry during the Civil War, he bought this house in 1859 and lived here until 1898. Built around 1858, it is regarded as the oldest house in Columbus, still holding its original pine floors and ceilings.
Why it matters
The home of a man who fought at Gonzales and later for the Confederacy ties one modest Columbus house to both the birth of the Texas Republic and the Civil War that tested it.
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Related people
- · William G. Hunt
- · Bluford DeWeese
Related events
- · Battle of Gonzales
- · capture of San Antonio
Themes & tags
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