[1] The west branch of the Rocky River and Plum Creek flow through the township from south to north.

In 1805, two years after Ohio became a state, the federal government finalized treaties with local Native Americans.

The Bronson and Hoadley families of Waterbury, Connecticut, pooled together $20,087 to purchase a township.

In the papers sent from Washington the word was miswritten Copopo, and the error was never corrected.Farming has historically been the most significant employer in Columbia Township and the surrounding townships, but in the second half of the 19th century, sandstone from the local quarries was mined and widely distributed.

On April 11, 1965, an F4 tornado swept through Columbia Township before dissipating to the east in neighboring Strongsville.

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1.

[11] The Lorain County Metro Parks opened the Columbia Reservation in 2003, a 409-acre (166 ha) park with 285 acres (115 ha) of high-quality wetlands in the floodplain of the west branch of the Rocky River.

[12] The park has 3 miles (5 km) of trails running through ponds, marshes, wet meadows and swamps.