VAMONDE Columbus

Columbus has many historic and unique neighborhoods. Join us as we explore a few of our favorites!

Columbus Neighborhoods

The new urban creative district in Columbus

Franklinton is the first American settlement in Franklin County. As the city of Columbus grew, the city annexed and incorporated the existing settlement and today it exists as a neighborhood immediately west of downtown.

The neighborhood gets its nickname of "The Bottoms" because much of the land is subject to flooding from the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and a floodwall is required to contain the rivers and protect the area from floods. The low-lying bottom land was well suited for farming, with the river serving as a direct connection to the Ohio River.

In 1795, Sullivant, along with approximately 20 men surveyed the western side of the Scioto River at the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers. As payment for his work, Sullivant was given 6,000 acres in the Refugee Tract reserved for those who aided the American Revolution. In 1797, Sullivant returned to Ohio and laid out a village of 220 lots in Franklin County, which he named Franklinton in honor of the recently deceased Benjamin Franklin. This original settlement was abandoned in 1798, a year later, when a flood submerged most of the town. Sullivant relocated the town less than a mile away, off of the banks of the Scioto River.

The replatted town was laid out in blocks that contained four lots in a square, with each lot measuring 99' wide by 115' deep. To encourage people to move to the new settlement, Sullivant offered free land for anyone willing to build a house along Gift Street, near the eastern edge of his plat. Along with platting and settling the town, Sullivant also built several structures out of brick and glass from Philadelphia. These buildings included a courthouse, a brick home to impress Starling (who was wed to Sullivant in 1801), a brick church and the first bridge across the Scioto River.

The town of Franklinton was then made the county seat of Franklin County in 1803. The community continued to grow with the expansion of the country's railway system along with the construction of the new state capital, Columbus, on the opposite side of the Scioto River. Columbus's growth eventually led to it being named county seat in 1824 and Franklinton was annexed by the city in 1859.

During the last half of the nineteenth century, four railroads were established in Franklinton and brought commercial and industrial growth.  Franklinton quickly transformed from a farming-based community to an urban society known for its railroad cars and horse-drawn buggies. The railroad service and industrial development drew people from the southwest part of the state and West Virginia. Many of these people chose to reside in the East Franklinton area to be closer to industrial activity.

The town Franklinton experienced extreme flooding when the wooden levees, holding the Scioto River, collapsed on March 25, 1913. The Great Flood of 1913 engulfed the neighborhood of Franklinton with 7 to 17 feet of water. The rising of the waters swept ninety-three people to their deaths and left 20,000 people homeless. It also destroyed nearly 500 buildings and every bridge in the downtown area. A large number of residents relocated to the Hilltop and abandoned the Franklinton area.

During the latter half of the twentieth century, the construction of the Interstate Highway System had a major effect on Franklinton. The inner belt construction of the 1960s removed several buildings along Sandusky Street, resulting in lowered property values and driving families out of East Franklinton. In addition to the land use and population changes that occurred, the inner belt formed a barrier which sealed off the side of East Franklinton that was not bordered by the Scioto River. This isolation was reinforced with the construction of West Interstate 70.

Today, Franklinton is an urban neighborhood consisting of about 36,000 residents. The City of Columbus is focusing on creating a new Short North style neighborhood in Franklinton through developing an urban creative district. This new neighborhood is now centered between Gift, Town, Lucas, and Rich Streets, with hope to expand to East Franklinton.  Key developers have purchased existing buildings and are working to refurbish existing buildings to retain the character of Franklinton.

The Franklinton neighborhood contains several parks, such as McKinley Park, Cody Park, Maurice Gates Memorial Park, and Genoa Park. McKinley Park is a neighborhood park located at McKinley Ave. in northwest Franklinton. The park consists of 6.95 acres, which includes athletic fields, basketball courts, picnicking facilities, and playgrounds. The area serves as a public space for the residents. Genoa Park, previously named the Riverfront Amphitheater, can be found on the west bank of the Scioto River. It has an area of 2.07 acres and access to a greenway walking trail for residents to enjoy. Genoa Park hosts events such as Rhythm on the River, Waterfire, and the Latino Festival.

The Dodge Recreation Center, Sullivant Gardens Community Center, McDowell Senior Center are three recreational centers located in the Franklinton neighborhood.  Franklinton contains several centers for restaurants and social spaces. In terms of social spaces, Franklinton is positioning itself to become a new creative district of Columbus.

In 1927, the Green Lawn Abbey was built by the Columbus Mausoleum Company. The private community mausoleum was designed with a gray granite exterior and columned second-floor portico. In the nineteenth century, cities were closing burying grounds within city limits. Private community mausoleum began to appear in the 1920s. Green Lawn Abbey was the largest with 654 crypts, one-and-a-half-thick walls, marble floors, a central chapel and foyer area and stained-glass windows.

The family-owned company A.D Farrow settled in Franklinton in 1941 and is the oldest Harley-Davidson dealership in America. In 1983, Alan and Pat Doerman purchased the dealership and refurbished the original building. The original shop has since been refashioned as the A.D Farrow Museum. In 2002, the dealership celebrated the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson.

The Gothic-style church construction began following the land purchase of April 1, 1881, with the cornerstone being laid by Bishop of Columbus John Ambrose Watterson on September 17, 1882. It was completed on June 2, 1889 and dedicated by Watterson. The church can seat one thousand. During the Flood of 1913, upper floors were used to provide flood relief.

The Depot moved to the Old Henderson Road in 2003. It was located in Brice, Ohio during the 1880s. It has been kept in its original form and has been used to hold different kinds of events. The ceiling is still in its original red pine bead board, with hand-hewn hickory floors. Inside the Depot are walls from a Quaker church that are 150 years old and tables made out of 300-year-old hardwoods. Every detail in the Depot has been preserved in its original appearance.

The Franklinton Floodwall began construction in 1993 and was completed in 2004 at an expenditure of 193 million dollars. The wall protects the area from flooding by the Scioto River and allows people to live in Franklinton without major risk of flooding.

Information and Images provided by Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons respectively.

Franklinton

Home to the Ohio State University Buckeyes!

The University District (or University Area), is located two miles (3 km) north of Downtown Columbus and is home to the main campus of The Ohio State University, the Battelle Institute, and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.  The district is Columbus' most densely populated area and contains more than 650 businesses and organizations. University District businesses include boutiques, mixed retail, several tattoo studios, the Landmark Gateway theater, and a diverse range of restaurants and bars in Old North Columbus. 

The University District comprises many diverse regions, each with its own unique architecture and cultural identity. There are a variety of pleasant residential neighborhoods, several historic districts as well as the off-campus core student neighborhood.

The residential neighborhood with a higher concentration of rental property and student housing is often referred to as the off-campus neighborhood, and, in the past ten years, it has gone through considerable redevelopment and revitalization as a result of the work of Campus Partners. The center of it is the University District Central, which ranges from 13th to 18th Avenues, west of N. Fourth Street.

Old North Columbus, commonly referenced as the general area north of Woodruff, was once the village of North Columbus that was founded in 1842. Old North Columbus includes several smaller neighborhoods within these general boundaries such as the Indianola Forest, Oakland & Northwood Avenue Area, Tuttle Park, and Glen Echo. Old North has several parks, such as Tuttle, Glen Echo, Maynard & Summit, Iuka Ravine as well as multiple churches, restaurants, and other small businesses.

The southern area of the University District includes the areas of Dennison Place and NECKO. This southern area shares a border with Italian Village and the Short North Arts District as well as the main campus of the Ohio State University. 

The University District (or University Area) was not originally part of the city of Columbus. Founded in 1812 as a new city to be the State capital, Columbus was a small town until late in the nineteenth century. One of the major events in the evolution of the area was the decision to locate the State Agricultural College Grounds (Ohio State University) on the site of the Neil farm in 1870, south of the community of North Columbus. The university grew slowly at first but began to expand significantly under the presidency of William Oxley Thompson from 1900 to 1925.

As the area grew, fashionable residential suburbs grew up around the campus. In the 1890s, the streetcar transformed the area allowing middle-class people to more easily live in the University Area and make the thirty-minute journey to work in downtown Columbus.

Indianola Park was an amusement park that operated in the University District from 1905 to 1937. It was the biggest draw of the region, and streets carts took people to and from the location. The park peaked in popularity in the 1910s, entertaining crowds of up to 10 thousand with the numerous roller coasters and rides, with up to 5 thousand in the massive pool alone. The park was also the home field for the Columbus Panhandles for half of a decade. In the 1920s, new owners bought and remodeled the park, and it did well until it closed its doors at the end of the Great Depression.

After the end of World War II, the University Area population quadrupled due to the return of thousands of veterans from the war. To house the growing population, high rise dorms were built at both ends of the main campus and hundreds of houses were converted to apartment buildings. This growth also led to the establishment of neighborhood planning and development organizations. 

 Famous residents of the University District include beloved children's author  R.L. Stine and astronauts Nancy Currie, Charles Bassett, Richard Linnehan and Ronald Sega. 

Information and Images Courtesy of Wikipedia and Wikimedia Creative Commons

University District

A historic and exciting neighborhood in Columbus

German Village is a historic neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus. It was settled in the early-to-mid-19th century by a large number of German immigrants, who at one time comprised as much as a third of the city's entire population. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 30, 1974, becoming the list's largest privately funded preservation district, and in 2007, was made a Preserve America Community by the White House. 

By 1830, massive German immigration to the city of Columbus had occurred and many settled just south of downtown. By 1865, one-third of Columbus's population was German and the community was flourishing. They built up the local neighborhood, including many businesses, such as Hessenauer Jewelers and Lazarus Department Stores, schools, and churches. German-American George J. Karb became mayor of the city, twice, at the end of the 19th century and again in the early 20th century.

During the early 20th century, the south end saw newcomers from eastern Europe aside from German immigrants, resulting in brother neighborhoods such as the Hungarian Village.

The area was in serious decline throughout the first half of the 20th century, partly due to anti-German sentiment during World War I. German street names were changed, such as Germania Street becoming the present-day Stewart Avenue, and Schiller Park was temporarily renamed Washington Park. The anti-German sentiment fueled by the media was so bad that in 1918, German books were burned on Broad Street and at the foot of the Schiller statue. Despite the hatred, the Columbus German American community would produce one of America's finest heroes from the war, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, for whom Rickenbacker International Airport in southern Columbus is named.

Further decline occurred later due to the closing of the local breweries during Prohibition. After the war, the south end was zoned for manufacturing, leading to the erosion of the area's residential feel. In World War II, the streetcar tracks and wrought-iron fences were confiscated for the war effort. By the 1950s, the area had become a slum and the city decided to demolish one-third of the neighborhood.

With the Village nearing complete decline, Frank Fetch defied the common wisdom and purchased a house on S. Wall Street, determined to rebuild the neighborhood. Fetch would create the German Village Society. In June 1960, the society hosted the first Haus und Garten Tour, which attracted visitors and the local media to eight restored homes and two gardens. Today, the tour is one of the city's most popular events. Frank Fetch Park was named after him.

Concerned citizens managed to save its historic architecture from demolition in the 1960s by lobbying for a local commission, the German Village Commission, to have power over external changes made to buildings and by getting the area listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. More than 1,600 buildings have been restored since 1960 and it is credited as one of the world's premiere restoration districts. 

Although German Village is an eclectic community, the area is known as a Columbus "gayborhood." While there are no gay establishments within the German Village, the neighboring Brewery District and Merion Village have several. The 2010 Gay Softball World Series was held at nearby Lou Berliner park.

Schiller Park, named after Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805), was once a community meeting ground for German immigrants. It is now the site of recreational facilities, gardens, and an amphitheater that hosts free live performances of Shakespearean plays during the summer months courtesy of Actors' Theatre of Columbus. 

German Village has a commercial strip mainly centered along S. Third Street, with mostly locally-owned restaurants — such as Katzinger's Delicatessen — Schmidt's Sausage Haus and Schmidt's Fudge Haus have been a part of German Village for 120 years, opened by George F. Schmidt. The restaurant is still run by the family and was featured on Man vs. Food in 2008. 

On East Whittier Street sits a restaurant named Barcelona. Known for its European style food and the incorporation of décor from local artists, Barcelona has been voted “Best Patio” and “Top 10 Restaurants” by the Columbus Dispatch. 

Thurman Café opened in German Village in 1942 by Nick Suclescy. Thurman was also featured on Man vs. Food in 2008, where the Thurmanator–Thurman's giant eating challenge burger–was created.

 Katzinger's Delicatessen is another family owned restaurant that opened in 1984 and is known for their deli sandwiches.

German Village is the home of the first restaurant in the Max & Erma's chain. In 1972, the restaurant was opened by Barry Zacks. The name was adopted from the original tavern, started in 1958 by Max and Erma Visocnik, which the new owners converted into the popular theme restaurant.

The neighborhood is home to one of the world's largest producers of stained glass, the Franklin Art Glass Studios Inc., as well as several art galleries including the Archive Gallery, Hawk Galleries, Keny Gallery, and Kight Studio 551. 

German Village houses a few unique shops including the 32-room Book Loft, a pre-Civil War era style book store; Hausfrau Haven–a wine and gift shop; and several import shops, such as Caterina's Ltd. which sells European housewares. 

German Village

The Brewery District, traditionally known as the Old German Brewing District, is located just south of the central business district and west of German Village, it is bounded by Interstate 70 on the north, South Pearl Street on the east, Greenlawn Avenue on the south, and the Scioto River on the west.

The confluence of the Scioto River, the Columbus Feeder canal, and a spring-fed ravine made this area ideal for opening breweries. The first brewery was opened by Louis Hoster, Jacob Silbernagel and G. M. Herancourt in 1836. Hoster soon bought out his other two partners, and significantly increased production of the beer that bore his name. Seeing the success of the brewery, other local businessmen opened additional breweries. At its peak the Brewery District was host to other major breweries: Schlegel Bavarian Brewery/Schlee Brewery (1849-Prohibition), Born's Capitol Brewery (1859-Prohibition), Gambrinus Brewing Company (1905-1974)

Soon after the opening of the breweries, homes were built in the area to house brewery and other industry workers. The area has a mix of German-style 1 1⁄2-story, brick homes, and Italianate. Today, many of these historical homes remain and add character of the Brewery District. Carved stone lintels, round, curved windows and doors, and hood moldings are some of the features of these homes that are still visible. 

The breweries flourished during the Civil War, keeping pace with new innovations in the industry as they came, but a little later on, this modernization along with economic depression, caused smaller breweries to struggle. By 1904, the remaining three large breweries had to merge into the Columbus Brewing Company. In 1919, the 18th Amendment began Prohibition and City Brewery, along with the rest of the remaining breweries, was forced to shut down. Eventually, over the next seventy years, the buildings were sold off and used for various purposes including manufacturing and warehousing. 

In the late '90s to early 2000s, the Brewery District again became a popular spot in Columbus. It became the place young people went to for a night out in the city. 

Given this comeback, there have been several new bars, restaurants and music venues over the last few years. The Worly Building was renovated into a theater and bar complex to house Shadowbox Live and World of Beer, which helped bring life back into the area.  Notable additions include a nightclub (Double Happiness), winery (Via Vecchia), live music venue (Outland on Liberty) and several places to dine (Backstage Bistro, T. Murray’s Bar & Kitchen and Section 8 Yakitorium). 

The Scioto Audubon Metro Park is a 120-acre park featuring many activities including wetlands, a dog park, and a rock climbing wall. A big feature is the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, which serves as a stop for migrating birds. 

The Born Brewery building is the only remaining building of Born Brewery, one of four German breweries located on South Front Street during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and was constructed in 1895. The building, which was the brewery's bottling plant, was the Salvation Army Thrift store for a time. In 2007, Edwards affiliate bought the building for $2.3 million to develop it into condos.  In 2009 the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Also known as the “Drunken King,” this statue in the Brewery District was located over the August Wagner Brewery. August Wagner, a Barvarian native, came to Columbus in 1900 and was the L. Hoster Brewing Company's brewmaster. After the Gambrinus Brewery was built, August Wagner bought all the stock and became the brewery's owner. He changed the name to August Wagner Brewery and adopted the statue of King Gambrinus as their symbol to maintain a connection to his Bavarian roots.

 King Gambrinus, according to legend, invented beer to woo his boss’s daughter while he was apprenticing under him as a glassmaker. The brewery later closed and was eventually demolished, but the Columbus Dispatch saved the statue of King Gambrinus. They had him restored and placed in a pocket park on the corner of Front and Sycamore. He remained there until 2000, and he now sits in a new park at the front of the district.

Located at the district's center on South Front Street, this architecturally out-of-place structure was built to house horses for the attached Hoster Brewery. More recently, from 1996 to 2011 it was the home of WWCD, also known as CD101 or CD102.5, a local independent alternative rock station. In 2011 it was renovated to accommodate its most recent tenants: World of Beer, Shadowbox Live and the attached Backstage Bistro.

Explore the Brewery District when you are in Columbus next!

Information courtesy of Wikipedia and pictures courtesy of Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.

Brewery District

Visit this colorful neighborhood for some trendy events and eats!

The Short North is a neighborhood centered on the main strip of High Street immediately north of downtown and extending until just south of the Ohio State University campus area. It is a quick walk from other neighborhoods such as Downtown and the Arena District. The Short North is a popular neighborhood to visit on the weekends, particularly during the monthly "Gallery Hop" and other local and downtown events.

The Short North has been described as "colorful", "offbeat", and "trendy". The district is heavily populated with art galleries, specialty shops, pubs, nightclubs, and coffee houses. Most of its tightly packed brick buildings date from at least the early 20th century, with traditional storefronts along High Street (often with brightly painted murals on their side walls), as well as newer . The city installed 17 lighted metal archways extending across High Street throughout the Short North, reminiscent of such arches present in the area in the early 1900s.

The area is also known to be a very gay- and lesbian-friendly neighborhood which contains numerous gay nightclubs and bars and hosts the annual Columbus gay pride parade

The name "Short North" traces its roots back to the vernacular used by police for the area during a period of decline, namely as the neighborhood that—from a suburban commuter's perspective—had fallen 'just short' of the central business district's north end—both physically and economically. A reputation for diversity and an artistic, bohemian atmosphere has marked the Short North, with land prices and local rents rising steadily from the humble beginnings as a squatter’s neighborhood in the 1980s. Prior to this gentrification of the neighborhood, it had suffered prolonged decay and from latent, street-level crime and gang violence as the affluent residents of Columbus followed the economic bubble outward—into the suburbs—during the 1960s and 1970s.

The 1980s saw the neighborhood's rebirth enter into full gear as galleries began to open up and started to flourish. As Maria Gallowy, owner of PM gallery the oldest gallery in the Short North once put it "It was one of those neighborhoods that artists love to move into because the possibilities are there."

 In 1984 two Short North area galleries —the now-defunct Art Reach and the still-thriving PM gallery— began opening new exhibits on the first Saturday of every month to help cross-promote their businesses and build a more unified community. This loose coordination later evolved into the Gallery Hop which is still held every first Saturday of the month. The Gallery Hop today features most businesses keeping their doors open late into the night, jam-packed streets, and sidewalks populated with street musicians and other performers.

Since 1983, the Short North has also hosted the annual Doo Dah Parade, a parody of typical Fourth of July parades that includes politically slanted paraders and floats as well as absurdities such as the "Marching Fidels," a band of Fidel Castro lookalikes. The parade starts in neighboring Victorian Village, at Goodale Park, and winds north to finish coming south down High Street.

The Short North also hosts HighBall Halloween, Masquerade on High, a fashion show and street parade that closes down High Street. In 2011, in its 4th year, HighBall Halloween gained notoriety as it accepted its first Expy award. This festival has much to offer for those interested in fashion and the performing and visual arts or for those who want to celebrate Halloween and with food and drinks from all around the city. Each year the event is put on with a different theme and it increases in size and popularity.

Information and Images from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Creative Commons

The Short North

Arena District is a neighborhood that was as developed to serve as the primary sports and outing center of Columbus. Named after the Nationwide Arena, the neighborhood has seen major development growth in the past couple of years.

A Mingo settlement is known to have occupied part of the land along the Scioto River in the 1790s. With the rapid expansion of Columbus, the land subsequently became an industrial corridor with the Columbus Buggy Company building its first production sites in the area. By the 1910s, it was a light manufacturing hub home to Pabst Brewing Co., Ohio Casket Co., Stuart Lamneck Co., and the Columbus Auto Brass Co.  

Industries moved away from the area in the years after World War II. Around the mid-1990s,  the area was almost entirely abandoned and redevelopment opportunities were envisioned by the City of Columbus. The city worked with public and private investors to redevelop this area into a thriving center for sports, recreation, and business in the city.  

The namesake of Arena District, Nationwide Arena was completed in 2000 and is the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL hockey team. Nationwide Arena has a seating capacity of 18,500 for hockey, 19,500 for basketball and 20,000 for concerts. It has also hosted NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball National Championship Regional games, NCAA Men's Ice Hockey games, Ohio State University Fall Semester Convocation, performance events and concerts ranging from Taylor Swift to Disney on Ice.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are a National Hockey League hockey team in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. Their name comes from the Union Army of the American Civil War who wore blue jackets. One of the more notable traditions of the Columbus Blue Jackets is the Cannon used during the hockey games. The cannon is fired when the Blue Jackets enter the arena, score a goal and win a game, followed by the chorus of “The Whip” by band Locksley. The cannon is a replica of a 12 lbs. 1857 Napoleon Cannon that was commonly used during the American Civil War. Two similar Napoleon cannons are a short walk away at the Ohio Statehouse where they can be found “…standing in silent guard,” of the Capitol.

Express Live!, The Basement and A&R Music Bar

Express Live!, formerly known as the Lifestyles Communities Pavilion and PromoWest Pavilion, is a concert venue in Columbus, Ohio. During the spring, summer and fall they host outdoor concerts on a regular basis, and have indoor concerts year round. The venue seats 2,200 (indoors) and 4,500 in its Backyard Amphitheater (outdoors). Smaller acts perform in The Basement, a venue that is attached to the facility, or in the A&R Music Bar next door.

Huntington Park was completed in 2009 and is the home of the Columbus Clippers baseball team. The Clippers have been the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians since 2009 and play in the International League. The stadium has also hosted the Big 10 Men's College Baseball tournament in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  The stadium has a capacity of 10,100 fans and set a stadium record for attendance on July 26, 2010 with an attendance of 12,517 fans for a game between the Clippers and Pawtucket Red Sox.

The Columbus Clippers are the minor league Triple-A affiliate of the MLB Cleveland Indians.  Columbus was awarded the Clippers franchise in 1977. From 1977 to 2008 the Clippers played their home games at Cooper Stadium, previously known as Franklin County Stadium and referred to by fans as “The Coop” and moved into Huntington Park in 2009. The Clippers have been the minor league team for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians. They are expected to be affiliated with the Indians until at least the end of the 2018 season.

McFerson Commons was developed by Nationwide Insurance after the demolition of the Ohio State Penitentiary. It is part of the Scioto Mile Parks System, a sub-system of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. The park is dedicated to honor Dimon R. McFerson who was the Chairman and CEO of Nationwide Insurance from 1992 to 2000. The Arch is the focal point of the park and is located opposite Nationwide Arena Plaza. The Arch was recovered from Columbus's Union Station during its 1979 demolition to make way for the Greater Columbus Convention Center, which serves as the Arena Districts eastern boundary. The Beaux-Arts arch was designed by the firm of architect and planner Daniel H. Burnham of Chicago, who also developed a plan for the City of Columbus in 1908. The park hosts numerous events throughout the year, such as marathons, triathlons, concerts and auxiliary events for Columbus Blue Jackets games and other events at Nationwide Arena.

Battelle Plaza is an open-air Plaza located on the east side of Nationwide Arena. It is named for Battelle Memorial Institute, a non-profit research and development company. It is the hub of many events, but most notably Columbus Blue Jackets pre-game festivities. It provides access to Nationwide Arena and a pedestrian walkway that runs through the center of Arena District. This walkway provides further access to restaurants and bars such as: R-Bar, the Big Bang piano bar, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Buca di Beppo and the Three Legged Mare. The pedestrian bridge often serves as a meeting point for those attending events at Nationwide Arena.

The neighborhood has several public spaces that are used of for major events throughout the year. These events include the Arnold Sports Festival, Jazz & Rib Fest. Additionally, there are restaurants and bars that populate this district such as  BD's Mongolian Grill, Boston's: The Gourmet Pizza, Brothers Bar, Max & Erma's on the Boulevard, R Bar, Rodizio Grill, Sunny Street Café, Ted's Montana Grill, and Three-Legged Mare

Explore what the Arena District has to offer

Information and Images Courtesy of Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons respectively.

Arena District

Downtown Columbus centers on the intersection of Broad and High streets, with the northeast corners being known simple as Broad & High by the surrounding businesses and media. Downtown as a whole encompasses a wide area and is home to most of the largest buildings in Columbus. The State Capitol is located on the southeast corner of Broad & High, in Capitol Square. Downtown is also home to Columbus State Community College, Franklin University, Columbus College of Art and Design, Grant Medical Center, Capital University Law School, as well as the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Main Street Bridge and many parks.

Downtown has many neighborhood regions or "districts", but it can easily be separated into three main areas: the Discovery District, High Street Corridor, and the Riverfront. The Short North, Italian Village, and Victorian Village are directly north of Downtown. Olde Towne East, and the historic King-Lincoln District are directly east, while the Brewery District and German Village are directly south of Downtown. Franklinton is to the west of Downtown. In the northwest area is the Arena District, a mixed-use development centered on Nationwide Arena, the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Arena District also includes the baseball stadium Huntington Park and the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion.

Over 87,000 people are employed Downtown, and more than 25,000 students attend school at one of the many institutions of higher education located there. Downtown is currently home to over 8,600 residents.

The city of Columbus began development in 1812 with the purpose of being the state's new capital. Originally laid out by Lucas Sullivant as the town of Franklinton, the original settlement lay west of the Scioto River. However, Sullivant laid out plans to expand east of the river for what we now know as downtown Columbus. Development began quickly and by 1814 significant buildings included a school, the statehouse, the first newspaper, and the first church. By 1816, Columbus was incorporated as an official town, and in 1824 Columbus became the official seat of the county and elected its first mayor, John Brooks. It was elevated to "city" status in 1834. 

The city of Columbus has spread out and around from the original 10 acres plot surrounding the Statehouse, making downtown the literal center of the city. Another pivotal element of downtown Columbus is the Scioto River, which snakes directly through downtown. The downtown of Columbus has changed roles since its founding, going from a government center, to an industrial and commercial center, to what it currently is as the major commercial hub of central Ohio. The first skyscraper to adorn downtown Columbus' skyline is the LeVeque Tower, built-in 1927. Many other high rises and skyscrapers have been added since the LeVeque Tower to shape the Columbus skyline. 

In the early 1950s, assisted by federal and state funding, Columbus began to clear major slums in an effort to revitalize that area for the overall welfare of the city. In January 1952, the Department of Development for the city of Columbus began commissioning task forces in an effort for urban renewal in the blighted areas. The efforts of these task forces are evident in numerous older communities and districts, including Market Mohawk and German Village. 

The Discovery District is the eastern district of downtown Columbus. Interstate 670 borders it to the North while Interstate 71, Fulton Street, and Fifth Street border it to the East, South, and West, respectively. Within the Discovery District are institutions of culture, art, design, and education. Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Columbus Museum of Art are both located within the district. Also, there are numerous educational institutions within this district. Columbus State Community College is a two-year associates-degree institution located in the Discovery District with an enrollment of just under 25,000 students. Also located in the district are the Columbus College of Art and Design, which was founded in 1879 as the Columbus Art School and enrolls roughly 1,300 students, and the Capital University Law School. The ABA-accredited law school is a branch of Capital University in Bexley, Ohio. 

The River South District is the southwest area of Downtown Columbus along the Scioto River that is surrounded by Town Street to the North, Mound Street to the South, The Scioto River to the West, and Wall Street to the East. One of the main attractions of the River South District is a 7 acres green space called Columbus Commons. Columbus Commons was built over the former site of City Center Mall in 2010 and includes within it the outdoor venue Bicentennial Pavilion. Another area of interest is The Scioto Mile which is a park that follows the riverfront of the Scioto River includes the Bicentennial Park and the River South Art Walk.

The Uptown District, also known as the High Street Corridor, runs along High Street from Town Street in the south to the Greater Columbus Convention Center in the North. The Ohio Statehouse resides in the Uptown District, as well as a series of bars and restaurants to the north along Park Street. The Uptown District is also home to the Ohio Theatre, the Palace Theatre, and the Trinity Episcopal Church. LeVeque Tower, Columbus' first skyscraper, also resides in the Uptown District, west of the Ohio Statehouse and on the banks of the Scioto River.

Miranova Place is located within the southwestern corner of downtown.. Within it lies two major features, the Miranova Condominiums, and the Miranova Corporate Tower. The condominiums are a 26-floor residential unit that was finished in 2000. The Miranova Corporate Tower is a 12-floor corporate office space that was finished in 2001. The buildings designs reflect a modern architecture meant to serve as a bookend for downtown before it reached the Scioto River and I-70. The buildings are owned by developer Ron Pizutti, and serve currently as his headquarters. Miranova Place is also home to local restaurant M at Miranova.

The Market Mohawk District is located in the southeastern section of downtown and is bordered to the north irregularly by Chapel, Town, and Main Streets, Livingston Avenue to the South, South Parsons Avenue to the East, and to the west South Third Street. In the 1960s, the area was part of the $43 million Market Mohawk Urban Renewal Project. The redevelopment brought facilities for Greyhound Lines, Franklin University, and several apartment complexes. Today the district is still home to Franklin University and also includes The Ohio Democratic Party Building and The Ohio Republican Party Building, to name just a few buildings.

Park Street District (North Market Historic District)

Park Street District, also known as the North Market Historic Area, sits in the northernmost part of downtown Columbus. Sitting just north of the Arena District, it is bounded by Goodale Avenue to the north, Vine Street to the south, high street to the west, and Neil Avenue to the west. The area retains numerous physical characteristics from the early twentieth century when it served as a wholesale and manufacturing focal point just north of the Columbus Union Station. In 1980, revitalization focused on becoming an exciting area, restaurant, and entertainment center. Numerous restaurants and bars, as well as the famous North Market, extend off of Park Street, as well as offices and retail options in the area.

The Fort Hayes area is primarily located within the boundaries of the I-670 loop northeast of downtown, primarily along Cleveland Avenue. It was sold by Robert A. Neil and his brother William to the state in order to build a United States barracks in the then northeastern part of the city. The facility was built, and by 1875 was re-purposed to be primarily a recruiting intake and training facility. It was originally called the Columbus Barracks until 1922 when it then became Fort Hayes, named after Governor and President Rutherford B. Hayes. By 1976, the military had largely abandoned the Fort Hayes facility. The Columbus Public Schools district purchased an area of 50 acres for $1 USD and established what is now known as the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center. During the 1988–89 school year, the Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School was created and joined the Columbus Public Schools' programs. Notable buildings still present include Shot Tower, one of the most recognizable buildings due to its central tower, and the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, 

The Civic Center is part of the central hub of the city, encapsulating the homes of the city government. It is bounded to the north by Long Street, to the south by Broad Street, the east by Front Street, and the Scioto River to the west. Home to numerous city government buildings, the unprecedented growth of Columbus lead to a much-needed expansion of the cities civic center. The city began renting office spaces and started to plan for additions to increase the multitude of work spaces. The site encompasses 5.75 acres of land in the western part of downtown. The area is home to numerous important buildings, including the Columbus City Hall, the headquarters of the Columbus Police, and the John W. Bricker Federal Building.

The construction of The Ohio Statehouse began in 1839 and would end in 1861. The building was designed in the Greek-Revival style by a group of architects, the most prominent of whom was Ohio-born Nathan B. Kelley. The Statehouse was built largely using Columbus Limestone taken from the banks of the Scioto River. The Statehouse was declared a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior.

Named after the sister city in Italy, Genoa Park is a 2.07 acres park located on Broad Street on the West Side of the Scioto River. Features include a riverfront amphitheater that holds events and concerts, the Greenway Trail, and a walking trail. 

Now known as the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, the Supreme Court Building was built in 1933 and has housed several departments of government throughout the years. Since 2004, it has been the location of the Ohio Supreme Court. The building is currently located on Front Street and features several murals, bronze plaques, and statues which depict the history of Ohio.

The McFerson Commons Park is a 2.21 acres park that was developed after the demolition of the Ohio State Penitentiary. The park is named after the Nationwide Insurance CEO from 1992–2000, Dimon R. McFerson. The focal point of the park is the arch that was recovered from the Columbus Union Station after its demolition in 1979.

Some of the residential buildings in downtown Columbus include Flats on Vine, Market-Mohawk Apartments, The Condominiums at North Bank Park, and Miranova Condominiums.

There are several large businesses and organizations that operate out of downtown Columbus. Companies such as Nationwide, AEP, Huntington, and PNC all have buildings in downtown Columbus. The only mainstream daily newspaper in Columbus, The Columbus Dispatch, is headquartered in downtown Columbus on Third Street. Along with many bars and restaurants, there are several venues that attract visitors to the downtown area, such as Nationwide Arena, Greater Columbus Convention Center, and the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion.

Downtown Columbus

Explore one of the oldest neighborhoods in Columbus!

Olde Towne East is a neighborhood located in the historical Near East Side of Columbus is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. It is bordered by the Discovery and Market Exchange Districts, other Near East neighborhoods of King-Lincoln Bronzeville, Franklin Park, Ohio, and the Near South neighborhoods of Livingston Park North and Old Oaks. The area has over 1,000 homes, some as old as the 1830s, and more than 50 architectural styles as a result of its history. These homes were built by many of the famous individuals of Columbus including industrialists, lawyers, judges, teachers, architects, mayors, governors, and legislators, many of whom shaped the city.

There is no distinct architectural style in Olde Towne East, the uniqueness results from the diversity in populations that lived in the area. Though housing interiors were predominantly utilitarian, a large front porch that is a common aesthetic to the community. It is believed that the big porches "shaped the neighborhood" and the way people lived their lives. 

The Town of Columbus was laid out in 1812 by Joel Wright, with today's Olde Towne East being directly east of it on a high ridge. A massive population boom followed the Civil War leading to growth along Broad, Long, and Main streets. This allowed people to leave the city and live in streetcar suburbs, causing further growth along Main, Long and Broad streets, and Mount Vernon Avenue and lead to the unique architectural style of Olde Towne East as there was a mixing of different social classes and groups.

Following World War II and the rise of suburbia, the whole Near East changed as much of the housing abandoned by wealthy owners began to deteriorate.  Following the trend and emergence of the 60's American Preservation movement, and further spurred by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 which established preservation legislative, the neighborhood association of the 1970s emerged to lead the recovery of Olde Towne East and the rest of the Near East community.

Today, Olde Towne East is going through a major upswing. Unfortunately, this has caused gentrification in the area that was featured in the documentary called Flag Wars. A series of bars, eateries and varied other business have opened up between Bryden Road and Broad Street in the Parsons Avenue business corridor. The new commercial activity, which is concentrated around 18th and Oak streets, attracts residents and tourists breathing new life to what had been "a collection of houses”.

This neighborhood is also famous as it was the home of Dan Carr, founder of the NFL and Mary Campbell, two-time winner of the Miss America pageant. 

The Columbus Public Health Building offers a variety of health related services ranging from alcohol and drug abuse clinics to tuberculosis control. They also collect and provide medical data via publications and research from the epidemiology department.

English Park is home to the Kwanzaa Playground and was developed in 1995 as a joint effort between the community and the City of Columbus. Seven local artists and sculptors contributed the design and construction. The park has a human-like shape representing mankind’s first ancestor. The park focuses on positive African-American imagery to embrace the concept that "It takes a whole village to raise a child."

In the 1890s, it opened as a blacksmith shop. However, due to the emerging popularity of the car, it quickly transformed itself into a tire dealership and still sells tires today, making it the oldest tire dealership in the United States.

Hot Times Festival is a music festival celebrated every year from the 10th of September to the 12th, and is known for a diverse array of entertainers.

Blackburn Recreation Center is a community recreation center that features an art room with a pottery kiln, a swimming pool, a dance room, meeting rooms, a volleyball court, and a basketball court. 

Chop Chop Gallery is an art gallery and event space usually featuring the work of local artists.

Explore the architectural wonders of Olde Towne East

Olde Towne East

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Explore some of the locations of the Chicago blues scene of the 1960s with this VAMONDE adventure, based on the Chicago History Museum exhibition, "AMPLIFIED: Chicago Blues."

Chicago History Museum

Explore some of the locations of the Chicago blues scene of the 1960s with this VAMONDE adventure, based on the Chicago History Museum exhibition, "AMPLIFIED: Chicago Blues." Southern black migrants brought the blues to Chicago, where the music helped them forge connections and transform an unfamiliar, often inhospitable city into a new home. The music was also transformed—electrified and amplified to compete with urban noise. The photography of Raeburn Flerlage captures the streets, clubs, homes, and studios where a community of musicians defined the Chicago blues sound.

AMPLIFIED: Chicago Blues

From a 20th century resurgence that rivaled the Harlem Renaissance, to spectacular displays of Victorian Era architecture, this South Side neighborhood is responsible for tremendous cultural and social advances that are not to be missed.

The heart and soul of Chicago lies in its 77 vibrant neighborhoods, and going beyond the loop (Chicago’s downtown business district) will give you a much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of the skyscraper district. As part of the Beyond the Loop video series, The Second City and Goose Island Beer Company have teamed up with Choose Chicago to explore the local hotspots in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Discover why Bronzeville is more than just an artsy pocket on the South Side.

Bronzeville and Beyond

"How can I possibly be expected to handle school on a day like this?" We've all been there, even if we're not Ferris Bueller. After your mornings stretch, you look outside at the shining sun, soft breeze, and then wonder, "How can anyone expect me to handle work on a day like this?" So take the day off! While you're at it, follow in Ferris Bueller's footsteps too as Choose Chicago takes you through the film locations that made Ferris Bueller's Day Off such a wonderful adventure (but make sure Ed Rooney isn't on your tail).

It’s Ferris Bueller's Day Off! Take a day to explore the city, but don't get caught by the incredulous Principal Rooney! Kick it like a couple of wise-cracking high school kids at The Art Institute of Chicago and peer down from over 100 stories in the air with the Skydeck at Willis Tower. (Cover photo from @thiswashollywood via Instagram)

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Chicago’s legendary Second City comedy troupe and Goose Island Beer Company have teamed up with Choose Chicago to create the quintessential Old Town experience. Join us as we explore the historic neighborhood and discover its many claims to fame.

As part of the Beyond the Loop video series, The Second City and Goose Island Beer Company have teamed up with Choose Chicago to create the quintessential Old Town experience. Discover why this neighborhood has been home to immigrant families, gays, hippies and young professionals alike over the years.

Quintessential Old Town

Choose Chicago® is the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, Illinois. When you’re in Chicago, you’re home. With the countless experiences there are to have here, you're absolutely welcome to do any and all of them.

Columbus Neighborhoods

Franklinton

Franklinton

University District

University District

German Village

German Village

Brewery District

Brewery District

The Short North

The Short North

Arena District

Arena District

Downtown Columbus

Downtown Columbus

Olde Towne East

Olde Towne East

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