Raison d’être for Broadway

October 10th, 2008

According to a transcript of a WBNS-Radio broadcast salute to Clintonville on May 27, 1959 and reprinted in The Clintonville Historical Society’s January 2009 issue of its newsletter, Clintonville Heritage, Olentangy Park and East North Broadway’s development are linked. The street was supposedly laid out because of the Olentangy Park Theatre:

And one of the grandest streets was laid out because of the Olentangy Park Theatre–it was North Broadway, North Broadway was a lovely, tree-shaded, paved boulevard, when all around was nothing but dusty country roads. There lived famous actors from Broadway like Elsie Janis and Vaughn Blaise…

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St. James in the Woods

October 10th, 2008

All the literature for St. James Episcopal Church states that it was organized in 1881, and that church members met in local schools before they had their own church building. I admit to being skeptical of that date and believe 1891—when James Loren began developing East North Broadway and donated a lot on Beech Hill Avenue (now called Calumet Street) for the church–is nearer to the mark. Some sundry facts about this, the oldest continually running Clintonville church:
• The original exterior was a Tudor Revival Style. The cornerstone was laid in 1894, and the mission was consecrated in 1896.
• The church was enlarged to a seating capacity of 200 in 1927; that was also when the church building got indoor toilets.
• The original church was traditionally covered with ivy. The ivy growing on the church grew from a shoot brought from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, which in turn got its ivy from somewhere in “old England.”
(Photo courtesy of St. James Episcopal Church)

Who were Loren and Dennison?

October 10th, 2008

James M. Loren (b. 11/30/1849, d. 2/13/1931) was an attorney who loved real estate. He lived at the corner of King Avenue and North High Street (1371 North High Street) from the time of his marriage to Miss Annabel McMillen in 1878, until his death. He was closely identified with the family of former Ohio governor William Dennison, and handled their real estate affairs; he shared a suite of offices with William’s son Herman G. Dennison. Loren laid out, platted, and sold not only East North Broadway but also Dennison Place, Dennison Park, Dennison Summit, and a few other subdivision in northern Columbus and Worthington. Loren’s daughter married Joseph Walter Jeffrey. James Loren’s mausoleum is in Greenlawn Cemetery, lot 41, section 56. For more information you can read his obituary from the Columbus Dispatch Feb 13, 1936, p. 6A, and his biography from Osman Hooper’s 1920 book, History of the City of Columbus, Ohio, pp 453-454.

Herman G Dennison died in 1912 at age 59 in an automobile accident. More information here.

This information came to me courtesy of staff at the Genealogy, History, and Travel Department of the Columbus Metropolitan Library System.

Wondering who these people are?

October 7th, 2008

The people at the top of my banner, I mean. Well, I am wondering too. I believe this is the Hollenback family (the family that started The Booster, and who lived on High Street) but I have been unable to confirm who the pictures are of, or where the photos were taken.

Historical Maps

October 5th, 2008

Maptech’s collection of historical maps is one of my favorite resources for old USGS topographic maps.

It’s a bit tricky to use. All the scanned maps are in quarters. I usually start with the town index (not the quad index) and work my way through the four quarters of the quad map until I find the area I’m interested in. Buildings, schools, and churches are indicated.

Looking West from 3134 North High St, 1896

October 4th, 2008

This photograph was labeled, “Looking west from 3134 N. High, 1896”. It’s an exciting glimpse of how Clintonville used to look. (Photo courtesy of the Dawson family.)

Bottled water back then?

October 4th, 2008

Pearl Fisher lived at 129 West Pacemont for nearly 70 years until her death in 1970 at age 82. [The house has since been torn down.] She moved there as a young girl, when Pacemont (then called Jason Avenue), was a gravel road with houses far apart and the mailman traveled his route in a buggy. There was a spring on the West Pacemont farm which her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fisher, owned. They sold this spring water in bottles to residents all over Clintonville, delivering it by horse-drawn wagon. They stored the bottles in a little shed attached to the house. –from The Booster, January 4, 1978.

The Jones’ of North Columbus

October 3rd, 2008

C. F. Jones Grocer used to be located at 2581 North High Street, where Schreiner’s Hardware Store is now. This image was taken around 1904 inside of the Jones Grocery Store. Shown are sons Charles and Clarence with their father Frank Jones.
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This image of their delivery wagon dates from 1909. Charles Jones is besides the wagon and the young man holding the horse is unknown. They are standing in front of their store.
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This photo of the C. F. Jones Grocer Co. was taken around 1916. Shown are Charles, Clarence, and their father Frank Jones.
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This is a picture of the C. Frank Jones family in their home at 2665 Adams Avenue, Columbus, circa 1900. Bertha May Jones Aurand (1889-1934), Charles M. Jones (1895-1956), C. Frank Jones (1861-1937), Clarence A. Jones (1891-1950), Miriam Tozer Jones (1869-1941), Gladys A. Jones Reiger (1899-1930). (Photos courtesy of Frank Jones.)

J. T. Herrick Saloon

October 3rd, 2008

Ed Herrick’s saloon, at 2568 North High Street in 1900. (Photo courtesy of Frank Jones.)

Kellar Barns & Livery Stable

October 3rd, 2008

Kellar Barns & Livery Stable, rear of 2650 North High Street, in 1900. (Photocopy courtesy of Frank Jones.)