Columbus KY (Kentucky)

Columbus KY is a Mississippi River cruise port and a small town in Kentucky USA (Hickman County) with population around 200. The settlement is approx 0,6 mi (1 km) east of the river and bordered (to the west) by Columbus-Belmont State Park (a historic site with a Confederate fortification built during the American Civil War/1861-65).

As cruise port, Columbus KY is included in the schedule of one of the USA's largest river cruise lines - AQSC-American Queen Voyages/Steamboat Company.

Next table shows a 7-night itinerary (ship American Duchess paddlewheeler) from Memphis to Louisville, with prices from USD 2700 per person, with double occupancy.

Columbus KY is the oldest settlement in the Jackson Purchase region (bounded by the rivers Mississippi-Ohio-Tennessee), being first settled in 1804 (founded as Iron Banks) and in 1820 renamed Columbus (after Christopher Columbus/1451-1506) and incorporated in 1860. In 1861, the town was seized by Confederate forces who built Fort de Russey (overlooking the river).

The original town was seriously damaged during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, after which it was moved inland/rebuilt upon higher grounds. Due to the decline in the river shipping traffic, Columbus started gradually to lose population in the following years. KY123 highway passes through downtown and connects to Clinton KY (~15 mi / 24 km to the south) and to Bardwell KY (10 mi / 16 km to the northeast). KY80 highway links to Arlington KY (6 mi / 10 km to the northeast).