Rolling farmlands and a small-town feel in Columbus
Between miles of south Wisconsin farmland along the winding Crawfish River, Columbus is a small city with historical character and a close-knit community. Brick storefronts date back to the late 19th century, when Columbus was established as an agriculture-based community. Farming remains a mainstay of the area’s economy, and the city takes pride in its history, with two historic organizations playing a big role in Columbus’s downtown district. “The main draws to Columbus are that it’s conveniently located along U.S. Route 151 and it has maintained a rural, small-town feel,” says Michael Schuster, a local associate broker with Re/Max Preferred. “Neighbors know one another, and families are drawn to the area for its quiet, safe atmosphere.”
Historical homes on spacious lots
Turn-of-the-century farmhouses, Victorians and Colonial Revivals line the streets closest to downtown, with decorative adornments, fish scale siding and pops of color featured throughout. Ranch-style and modern traditional homes built in the late 1900s and early 2000s can be found on the outskirts of town in subdivisions like Highland Ridge and Kestrel Ridge. Most homes in Columbus sit on quarter-acre lots, while some properties in the surrounding farmland range from 1 to 6 acres. “Columbus has lower home prices compared to other communities in the Madison area,” Schuster says. Overall, Columbus has a median sale price of around $310,000, whereas the nearby communities of Windsor and Marshall have medians over $400,000. Quaint cottages and fixer-uppers range from $70,000 to $180,000, while larger, move-in-ready builds can go for $200,000 to $560,000. Condo units range from $160,000 to $380,000.
Historical storefronts and popular local eateries
The Columbus Historical Society and Historic Landmarks & Preservation Commission are dedicated to preserving and documenting the area’s past and its historical architecture, from century-old homes to long-standing brick storefronts. James and Ludington streets are lined with small businesses, including a hair salon, a local pharmacy and an embroidery shop. Vintage furniture, home decor, glassware and clothing are all for sale at the Columbus Antique Mall. Julie’s Java House serves coffee and seasonal baked goods, while Apple Tree Family Restaurant is a popular spot offering brunch and American pub fare. The Old Rock lies just east of town and has pizza, burgers and steak that can be enjoyed with a specialty cocktail or draft beer on the patio. The eatery has been open since 1920 and has live music every weekend in the summer. Shoppers can get their groceries at the nearby Pick ‘n Save or Dollar General.
River access, sports facilities and a popular aquatic center
Meister Park has a playground, picnic tables and facilities for baseball, soccer and basketball. Nearby, Rotary Park has a kayak launch on the Crawfish River. South of town, the Columbus Area Aquatic Center has a large, zero-depth entry pool with a 12-foot diving area, a snack shack and a waterslide. The area features two golf courses, including the public Kestrel Ridge Golf Course and the Columbus Country Club. Locals can bring their pups to the River Run Dog Park for some off-leash exercise. The Columbus Public Library hosts community programs and events like bi-weekly book sales, author talks and a monthly quilting club.
Work-based learning at Columbus High School
Most local students attend Columbus Elementary School, which earns a C-plus overall grade from Niche. Also with a C-plus, Columbus Middle has an after-school program where students can read, play games and receive homework help. Columbus High School receives a B and offers work-based-learning opportunities, including youth apprenticeships, job shadowing and teacher's assistant roles in seventh through twelfth-grade classrooms. The high school also has a wide variety of extracurriculars, from Future Business Leaders of America and forensics to art club and student council.
Driving to Madison on U.S. 151 and a local Amtrak station
Columbus is around 30 miles northeast of downtown Madison via U.S. Route 151. “While on a map it looks like you’re pretty far from Madison and Sun Prairie, it only takes around 20 to 30 minutes to get there,” says Schuster. “It’s a straight shot through farmlands and fields, with no stops along the way.” There is also a local Amtrak station with service to nearby towns like Portage and Milwaukee.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
