Townsend-Koliba House
Columbus, Colorado County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Front portion built in mid-1800s. Owned until 1845 by Stephen Townsend, member of prominent family and veteran of Battle of San Jacinto. In 1837, as first county sheriff, he took part in court held under famous oak (60 yds. W). In 1902 owner Edward Metzke attached second structure to first one; also added porch. Former State Representative Homer Koliba and wife Bernice (a descendant of S. Townsend) have owned house since 1951. RTHL - 1971
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The front of this Columbus house dates to the mid-1800s, when it was owned by Stephen Townsend, a member of a prominent local family and a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto who, as the county's first sheriff in 1837, took part in a court held under a famous nearby oak. A later owner joined a second structure to the first in 1902 and added a porch, and since 1951 the home has belonged to former State Representative Homer Koliba and his wife Bernice, a Townsend descendant.
Why it matters
The house links the founding era of the Republic of Texas to a single family's continuous presence across more than a century of local and state civic life.
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Related people
- · Stephen Townsend
- · Homer Koliba
- · Bernice Koliba
Related events
- · Battle of San Jacinto
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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