Columbus, Minnesota was Columbus Township until 2006, when it was incorporated as a city, largely in response to concerns about potential annexation by the adjacent city, Forest Lake. Other nearby communities include Lino Lakes, Ham Lake, East Bethel, and Wyoming. Rice Creek flows through the city, and the Carlos Avery Wildlife Area is in the north-central and west-central parts of the city. County Roads 18, 19, and 23 are the chief routes through the city, while Interstate Highway 35 splits into 35-E and 35-W in the southeast corner of Columbus, a junction known as the Forest Lake Split. Although Columbus is a very new city, the area was settled in 1855, when John Kleiner and J.H. Batzie came separately, and a village known as Columbus was platted in 1856. By 1857, the village had a hotel, store, blacksmith shop, saw mill, a turners shop, wagon maker, gunsmith, and about a dozen homes, as well as a school house. Columbus became a township in 1857 but, although several efforts were made, the township was unable to develop a town center. In the 1860s, Columbus lost a bid to become the Anoka County seat, and it was passed over as a potential route for the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Chartered by the Columbus Lions Club, Troop 414 is part of the Many Waters District in the Northern Star Council of the Boy Scouts of America. General information about the BSA and scouting in general is given, including its organizational structure, meeting schedules, and a calendar of events.
http://www.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unithome.aspx?UID=10506
Made up of residential, rural, and commercial property, the City of Columbus offers full municipal services. The official city web site presents a history and profile of the city, a calendar of events, public notices, and a guide to the city council, administrative offices, boards, and commissions.
http://www.ci.columbus.mn.us/
Located on Notre Dame Street, in Columbus, Minnesota, the K-6th grade school is a campus of Forest Lake Area Schools. Directions, school schedules, a student handbook and supply list, lunch menus, and contacts are published. Classroom links, curriculum data, and testing information are provided.
http://col.forestlake.k12.mn.us/
Offering outdoors and other activities for boys in grades kindergarten through the fifth grade, or ages five through eleven, Pack 414 meets one night a month at Columbus Elementary School in Columbus, Minnesota. Leadership contacts and an overview of the pack’s organizational structure, its chartering organization, and leadership contacts are posted.
http://www.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unithome.aspx?UID=10261
Located on Lake Drive, the Columbus, Minnesota store specializes in the sale of power equipment, accessories and apparel from manufacturers such as Yamaha, John Deere, Triton, Stihl, Honda Power Sports, and others. A catalog of products, in-stock new and used inventory, services, and hours are given.
http://www.waldochsports.com/
The research facility was established in 1976 for the purpose of observing and documenting the behavior of a captive population of gray wolves. Although it no longer receives federal funding, its work continues. Located near Columbus, Minnesota, its research and educational programs and projects are highlighted.
http://www.wildlifesciencecenter.org/