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Columbus officials seek information on former Denton Spring Park

COLUMBUS—The Town of Columbus recently discovered that it owns what used to be a park and wants to bring it back to life. 

Columbus Town Council met last week and heard from councilman Robert Williamson, who has been researching the 1925 Denton Spring Park. 

The 2.5-acre parcel is located just off Park Street. Williamson said he thinks that is why Park Street has its name, because of the former park. 

Williamson said his research began when John Vining emailed the 1926 Polk County News full-page advertisement announcing the auction of lots in Denton Spring Park. Williamson said Vining asked where that was located, so Williamson embarked on a treasure hunt. 

“To answer John’s question (and my curiosity) I embarked on this treasure hunt,” Williamson said. “Digging into old deeds I found the original 1925 survey of the Denton Springs Park subdivision and the Denton Spring itself. Numerous 1926 articles referenced the Spring Park and events held there.” 

Williamson has also walked the property and found original rockwork. There is also an old cinder-block structure at the top of the hill that Williamson said looks more like a shelter than a home. 

Some of the research includes finding surveys and adjacent deeds referring to the “Municipal Park” and the “Property of Columbus.” 

“What a find,” Williamson said. “If we could restore this 2.5-acre park and make it useful to the community I’m all for it.” 

Columbus Town Council asked town attorney Lora Baker to research the old deeds and records to find the town’s title to the land.  

Williamson is seeking any information about the park and the Denton families from 1925. Anyone with information about Denton Spring Park, or who has documents or old photographs of the park or the Denton family is asked to email Williamson at williamson.columbus@gmail.com or call Williamson at 828-817-9428.