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 Texas : Features : Cemeteries :

Live Oaks and Dead Folks III
Columbus City Cemetery
Columbus, Texas

Photos courtesy of Bill Stein and the Nesbitt Memorial Library

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Angel Statue in Columbus City Cemetery, Columbus, Texas
(Reluctant fanfare)
Photo by John Troesser
Just because some of the more interesting people in Columbus happen to be dead doesn't mean you can't get to know them.

The Nesbitt Memorial Library's highly-acclaimed cemetery tour is being held this year (2005) on the weekend of November 5th and 6th.
Columbus City Cemetery tour, Columbus, Texas

 

They only come out at night.

A night fog in Columbus City Cemetery, Columbus, Texas
Unretouched photo of a fog unseen at the site - which appeared on the image later.
Tour guides lead visitors to 12-15 sites where actors in period costume narrate life stories of Columbians rich, poor, famous, infamous, young or old. The only thing they have in common: all are now deceased.

While a few stories/ personalities have been brought back by popular demand, most of them are new this year. Each character has been personally chosen by Colorado County historian Bill Stein, a Columbus native who's unearthed a lot of stories over the years.

The tours assemble in the parking area of the old city cemetery - right on old U. S. Highway 90 just west of town. If you have trouble finding it - just look for the second largest live oak tree in the state and it's right across the street.
Tombstone in Columbus City Cemetery, Columbus, Texas
"Fannie waiting for Pauline"
Tickets ($10 each) are available throughout October and the money benefits the Friends of the Nesbitt Memorial Library.

The tour has been described as "local history served up with irreverence and humor" (they said that). The photos appearing here are from previous years - and all are courtesy of Bill Stein and the Nesbitt Memorial Library - one of the best small-town libraries in the entire state (we said that).

For additional information contact the Nesbitt Memorial Library at 979-732-3392.
Columbus City Cemetery Tour, Columbus, Texas
 
Live Oaks and Dead Folks, Columbus City Cemetery, Columbus, Texas
L- "Infidel" Ike Towell and his famous epitaph.
R- Good posture. (It's the tombstone that's not straight.)
Columbus City Cemetery Tour, Columbus, Texas
A smiling, stylish spirit from the 50s poses with her parrot. (Pay no attention to the woman behind the tombstone.)
Photographer in Columbus' Live Oaks and Dead Folks cemetery tour
A former photographer takes a photo to show on "the other side."
Please remember to check the back seat of your car before leaving the cemetery.
Readers' Forum:
Subject: Columbus City Cemetery

I don't know where Columbus City Cemetery is.....never cared. But this great piece on Live Oaks and Dead Folks is fantastic! I will be planning a trip next year just for this fun time. I love the writing style and the information makes it come alive (so to speak). Please keep up the good work! I have found you and plan to read and read and read...then maybe mosey on down the road a piece. - Sandy Knebel, Garland.... by way of Waxahachie, December 17, 2005

First published October 17, 2005


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