Mathias Armbruster
Two articles are often mentioned as sources for information about Mathias Armbruster. I thought I'd archive them here. Leeann Faust wrote this wonderful article about her great grandfather Mathias Armbruster. It was originally published in the Polar Bear ROARS Alumni Association (=North High School) newsletter. Karl Pauly wrote this column way-back-when, about Walhalla ravine--which Armbruster was instrumental in designing, or at the very least, naming. (First article of Leeann Faust; second article courtesy of the Clintonville Historical Society)
Flora Armbruster
Leeann Faust has graciously shared an additional photograph of her family. This photo is of Rosa, Pauline and Flora Armbruster. Leeann and her cousin David believe the photo was most likely taken at the house at 3100 North High Street but where and what the building--which looks the be rather rough construction--is, is not known. Leeann ponders, "Could it be the barn? That was where the house is that faces California stands today (on the east side of the side driveway). It could also be a storage building. We were looking at the things in the background. If it is [...]
Graveyard at Armbruster home, AKA Clinton Chapel
More fabulous pix from Leeann Faust of her ancestors' home at 3100 North High Street. This was originally the site of Clinton Chapel, subsequently modified to make a residence for Mathias Armbruster; the building then became a funeral home and at the time of this update, the building is a day-care center. These photos show the old graveyard which was behind the house, as well as the lion with Olentangy Park in the distance. The graves were eventually moved, predominately to Union Cemetery. For additional photos, search "3100 North High" or "Armbruster" on this web site. (Photos courtesy of Leeann [...]
Mathias Armbruster
Mathias Armbruster was born in Wurtenburg Germany in 1839 and came to the U.S.A. in 1858. He operated Armbruster Scenic Studios in Columbus—he painted scenic theatrical stage sets. Armbruster purchased the area around what is now known as Walhalla Ravine, and converted Clinton Chapel at 3100 North High Street into his private residence. His son Albert’s house was just north of Mathias’ home, where the parking lot for Southwick-Good-Fortkamp funeral home now is. Mathias eventually sold most of the acreage to a real estate developer, and helped name the streets after his beloved Wagner Ring Operas. Mathias died in Columbus [...]
More Armbruster Photos
Leeann Faust gave me some additional images of the Mathias Armbruster home at 3100 North High Street. This photo shows the north side, kitchen door, and the house’s well below the arch. The verso of the photo says “Aunt Flora Armbruster Neilson”. The verso of this photo says, “Back of 3100 North High Street [home of Mathias Armbruster] / Steps from Walhalla to Pergola” Pauline and Katrina facing west from the kitchen door at 3100 North High Street. “Garden and Pergola / North side of [3100 North High Street].” This picture shows Albert’s house, located just to the north of [...]
Holiday Greetings
Painting by Mathias Armbruster, courtesy of the Mathias Armbruster Scenic Studio Collection at OSU, and taken from WOSU's Broad and High clip about Mathias Armbruster's studio.
Rathbone Cemetery and Clinton Chapel Cemetery
Joe Smith has an intriguing theory about Clintonville's elusive Rathbone Cemetery. I think it's interesting; what do you think? From Joe: I came across some maps that the Works Progress Administration (WPA) did from 1935-1943, as part of FDR's "New Deal" programs. One Clinton Township map particularly caught my eye. It was named (by them) the "John Rathbone Cemetery." There's is a link to that particular map on an Ohio History Connection affiliated website (link here). To date, I have only found two other websites that make reference to that cemetery by name: dev.clintonvillehistory.org/ website; FCGHS website. I have spent [...]
Bill Good, 1946 – 2025
I was very sorry to recently learn of the death (in February 2025) of Bill Good, former owner of the Southwick-Good & Fortkamp Funeral Chapel. This funeral home, at 3100 N High, was located at the site of Clintonville's Clinton Chapel, which later became the home of Mathias Armbruster, became a funeral home in 1938, and is currently a day care center. I met Bill when I was working on my Clintonville and Beechwold book. He was a devoted caretaker of the building in which his funeral practice was located, knowledgeable about its architecture and history, and respectful of the [...]
Ghosts of Clintonville–Ghostbusted by Google Earth
There are several old residential buildings that have disappeared over the last 12 years--I wish we had photos of them. The old Hollenback home and The Booster building, located at California and North High Streets. I remember this building setting back over a slight rise from North high Street. This is a Google Earth image from 2004 of the roofs of these buildings. A large Victorian house demolished to make way for the commercial building presently occupied by Lavash Restaurant. This is the Google image from 2004 of the rooftop. Another big old residential building, this one located on Weber, [...]
Leeann Faust Passes Away
I just learned that Leeann Faust passed away. What a loss. If I could describe Leeann in just one phrase, that phrase would be "all in". When Leeann was enthusiastic about a person or cause, she was all in--whether it was an actress (Leeann was a long-standing president of the Carol Lawrence Fan Club) or the North High School Polar Bears (she was the historian/editor of the Alumni Association), or the history and legacy of her family (she was a descendant of Mathias Armbruster). Leeann was extremely generous with her time and her knowledge and her collection of articles, newspapers, [...]