Behind the Tennessee Williams Home was the site of the 1817 cabin that was the first building in Columbus. Around 1819, it was occupied by Spirus Roach as his Trading Store. Because of his pointed facial features, the Choctaw Indians who traded there called Roach “Possum” and referred to Columbus as “Possum Town.” This story is most likely the source of the local legend that Columbus was originally called “Possum Town” and later renamed “Columbus”.
