The first settler on the site of the village was Levi D. Cutting,[4] a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade, who arrived with his family in 1847.

In 1848, George and Henry Niver built a saw mill on the banks of the Flint River and the place became known as "Niverville".

The Nivers originally suggested the name "Columbia" after their home county in New York, but at the time there was already another post office in Michigan with that name.

The village continued to grow with the inclusion of a large Steam Grist and Flouring Mill, built by William Peter.

The Detroit and Bay City Railroad chose to route through Columbiaville and was opened to the public in 1872.

The first depot was a wooden structure located on the east side of the track at Pine Street.

In 1893 the brick depot was erected by William Peter, with the provision in the deed that all passenger trains were to stop in Columbiaville.

Mrs. Peter stated that the location of the home was chosen for convenience of being right downtown in the center of activity.

The first automobile traveled into the village in 1903, and was not initially well accepted by all residents who were in fear of witch craft.

Early automobile dealers were Roy Osborne, who built a large garage and dealership display on Water Street in 1920.