Columbus was initially settled in 1865 when a quartz mill was erected there, a favorable site because it was the only spot for several miles around with enough water for operation. Its full importance emerged in 1871 after William Troop discovered borax in the locality, and soon four borax companies were actively working deposits on the marsh. The town was probably most prosperous about 1875, when its population reportedly reached 1,000 and it had many kinds of business establishments, including a post office and a newspaper, The Borax Miner. By 1881, after borax operations had practically ceased, about 100 people remained, and all mining and milling stopped entirely soon afterward.