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The Live Oaks and Dead Folks Cemetery Tour will return to Columbus on Friday, Nov. 1, marking its 22nd year as one of the community’s most anticipated fall traditions.
Hosted by the Nesbitt Memorial Library Foundation (NMLF), the event takes place at the Old City Cemetery, where history enthusiasts will experience an evening of storytelling that brings Columbus’s past to life.
Participants will follow a costumed guide by lantern light through the cemetery, stopping at select gravesites to hear the true stories of local figures who shaped the community as well as the state. Each year’s tour features newly researched stories and characters that offer fresh insight into Columbus’s role in early Texas history.
“Every fall, we find remarkable stories hidden in plain sight,” said Tracey Wegenhoft, president of the Nesbitt Memorial Library Foundation. “Columbus played a significant role in the early days of the Texas Republic, and our goal is to preserve and share that history with the public. The true history right here underneath our feet is exceedingly more entertaining than any fiction!”
Tickets are $25 and available for purchase at the Nesbitt Memorial Library or online at Live Oaks and Dead Folks 2025 by the Nesbitt Memorial Library Foundation. Guests are encouraged to buy in advance, as space is limited.
Attendees should arrive at 6:15 p.m., with the tour beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. Visitors should wear sturdy, protective shoes; the cemetery grounds are covered in sticker burrs that can quickly spoil the fun.
All proceeds support the Foundation’s efforts to preserve local history through community programs, and many other special projects for the betterment of the library.
Tracey Wegenhoft is president of the Nesbitt Memorial Library Foundation.
