History of Olde Towne East
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Olde Towne East, is a former bedroom community during the 19th
century and 20th century. One of the very first suburban areas in
Columbus, Ohio which was made possible by the installation of the
city’s first horse drawn streetcars starting in 1863. Olde Towne
East, as it is called now, was annexed into the city of Columbus by
1870. It had previously been an area of family operated farms and
countryside stretching along the National Road (Broad Street) from
Washington D.C. In 1882, trolley tracks were laid on Oak Street to
Kelton Ave where the streetcar barn still stands, providing
convenient transportation to former location of the Ohio State
Fairgrounds, (now Franklin Park Conservatory and Gardens), and to
downtown Columbus. By 1886, large sections of the area had been
subdivided into residential lots. These new homes were built for
many affluent politicians, businessmen, industrialists, architects,
and land speculators who would shape the future of the city of
Columbus. There were also no de facto religious restrictions against
Jewish and Catholic families that were common in some other
developing neighborhoods. Some of the best known residents included:
James Thurber (Cartoonist and Humorist), H.S. Hallwood (inventor of
paving blocks), the Hoster family (beer brewers), John Jay Barber
(Artist), Joseph Yost (Architect, designer of the Governor’s Mansion
and Broad Street Presbyterian Church among many other buildings in
the area, see figures 21 & 22), William Fisher (Writer and
Humorist), the Lazarus family (retailers, founders of the Lazarus
Department Store progenitor of Macy's), Alice Schille (painter), and
the Governors of the State of Ohio from 1920 to 1957. In 1896, E.T.
Paul opened his blacksmith’s shop at 115 Parsons Ave, next to his
buggy shop. Today, E.T. Paul and Sons Co. is the oldest independent
tire dealership in the U.S. Olde Towne East was once known as the
“Silk Stocking District” in reference to the expensive clothing of
its wealthy residents. The city’s most intelligent/shrewd,
creative/artful, wealthy/decadent, powerful/demure, and
honorable/notorious citizens all resided in this neighborhood.
The proliferation of the automobile and the rise of an economic
middle class marked the beginning of an evolution of Olde Towne.
Columbus saw the creation of another ring of suburbs starting in the
1920s. To the immediate east of Olde Towne is the City of Bexley,
which quickly began to absorb Olde Towne’s affluent residents. It
was a classic conflict of "old money" versus "new money". After
World War II the transformation was unstoppable. Gone were the
wealthy urban residents of Olde Towne East who had either died,
moved into more distant suburbs. The once grand and opulent mansions
were either gutted of their expensive amenities such as, copper
plumbing and porcelain sinks and bathtubs or partitioned and
converted into apartments and nursing homes. The Broad Street
Boulevard a long strip of landscaped median that extended through
the neighborhood from the state capitol to Franklin Park was removed
to make room for more car traffic lanes and the zoning was changed
for commercial offices. The Interstate Highway System introduced in
the late 1950’s was also a cause of the decline (see figure 23).
Interstate 71 physically divided the neighborhood from its city
center and created an inner city “island”. The so-called “white
flight” had begun with the introduction of the freeway system, more
suburbs, and desegregation. The neighborhood became by the 1970s a
predominately African-American community. They had not been included
in the prosperity of the 1950s and earlier. Olde Towne East still
provided easy access to jobs and necessities by foot or public
transportation, and the many large old homes and apartments were
much more affordable compared to the new suburbs. The area’s
buildings and the original residents still mostly owned homes
however, the lack of home ownership has been suggested as a factor
for the economic decline that followed.
Revitalization is now underway. These structures are being restored
to the grand homes they once were. Originally costing perhaps $6000
to construct during the 19th and early 20th century. In April 2000
the highest sales price was $350,000. If an Olde Towne East home was
constructed today the cost would be astronomical, and practically
impossible to build due to the now rare fine craftsmanship of the
era and expensive materials used. Estimates would often reach into a
hundred million dollars.
Architecture and Historical Preservation
Olde Towne East saw many of Columbus’ finest homes built within the
area and much of that architectural legacy still exists today. There
are more than a thousand uniquely styled homes in the Olde Towne
area, some built as early as 1830, representing over 50 unique
architectural styles. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
Olde Towne East represented some of the most popular American
building styles spanning 100 years, which included: [[Federal,
Italianate, Victorian, Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, Tudor, Colonial
Revival, American Foursquare, and American Craftsman. All of these
classic styles have been well presented in the area by local
architects and craftsmen. Characteristics of the homes of Olde Towne
often include art glass windows, hand carved woodwork, parquetry,
stone details, ornate tile work, natural slate and tile roofs,
artful wrought iron fencing, and elaborate brick and stone exteriors
all created with the abundant resources that were available in the
local area 100 years ago.
Bricks, tiles, glass, and iron were all produced in southeastern and
northeastern Ohio and made available through the extensive canal
systems and later railroads of the day. The dense native forests
provided the white oak, walnut, maple, and gum woods commonly used
throughout these homes. Features of the home’s designs often
include: formal parlors, libraries, multiple dining rooms some
seating up to 30 guests, ballrooms, large attics, expansive porches,
elegantly tiled bathrooms, gas fireplaces, and wine cellars. In
addition, carriage houses for the larger than most contemporary
homes are commonplace and most homes often include quarters for
houseservants.
Historical preservation in Olde Towne East is an important aspect of
the community today. Many present day suburban neighborhoods such as
Dublin, Ohio do not employ the unique construction techniques as
used in the former era gone by. In 1989, the Bryden Road Historic
District was created within the City of Columbus’ Department of
Development. The city’s Historic Resource Commission according to
the recommendations of the Ohio Historic Society now governs
alterations to these structures. Today’s residents are fostering a
rebirth, wholly restoring, renovating and preserving the original
character of the houses while creating a unique urban community.
The Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association (OTENA) was founded in
1975 as a non-profit organization to promote civic pride and
cultural awareness. OTENA now plays an active role in neighborhood
zoning and development issues, and strives to help create a
community that values its historic structures. Started in 1982 and
presented by OTENA, the Olde Towne Tour of Homes was intended to
introduce area homeowners and to exchange ideas and expertise. In
1985, the Holiday Tour was created to present the contemporary
traditions of residents including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Today, the tours continue to highlight renovations in progress,
showcase period restorations, and present modern day necessities in
an historic setting. One of the tours biggest objectives is to
inform people from other parts of the Columbus area of the historic
value of existing structures and to welcome them to experience the
community that an urban environment can create. Many of the visitors
continue to be from the families who originally lived in the area.
Land Use Changes Over Time
The land use in Olde Towne East has changed many times in its existence. From the beginning when it was an affluent neighborhood to its decline and now again to its rebirth. Olde Towne East was once a suburb of Columbus and now encompassed by Columbus. With more than a thousand homes in the area and numerous architectural styles. The diversity in Olde Towne East is unlike any other from the various architectural styles to the various people and social classes. As stated by one resident: "I am enriched everyday by the people I meet here and how much diversity exist here. I have lived in a lot of other communities but I have yet to find the diversity that I find here in Olde Towne East.” Another resident that lived in Olde Towne through the ups and downs said, “I was here when this community was the place to be and I was here when this community was a dump. When everyone started to move to newer suburbs like Dublin and Gahanna people called me crazy for wanting to stay and be exposed to all the criminal activities that was beginning to appear in the area. But I knew the character of this community would make a rebirth possible and I am one of the happiest people in the world right now with all the diversity that has come to this community. There is more diversity now than in earlier years which I think make this area more of an attractive place to live and a place that I love to call home.”
The Struggle Of Change
Of course this transition does not come in a light and opportunistic way. In truth the true reception of the potential value of the homes did not occur till the coming of the Ameriflora '92 event. After the season was over the people invited to the event saw the historical value of the neighborhood. The tactics then employed as outlined in the documentary film Flag Wars to show just how the requisition and purchasing of the homes played out. Which included the removal of many poor African Americans and the mentally ill residents and the hostile reception of some homosexual renovators in the process. The social issues in question brings about wondering how change should truly occur. Although the neighborhood resides an ample amount of history, the longstanding nearly century old African American history of the neighborhood is often overlooked and scorned.
The Future of Olde Towne
At the beginning of this century, people chose to live in Olde Towne
East for social status. Today, the residents choose to live there
for the unique styling of the houses and their appreciation for the
diverse community. The varied cultural and racial backgrounds, and
economic levels that are present create a unique environment not
found in any other Columbus neighborhood. Olde Towne East is a
pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in a grid layout. The Columbus
Metropolitan Library, The Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin
University, Capitol University Law School, and Columbus College of
Art and Design, all within a 15 minute walk. The entire downtown of
Columbus is easily accessible by bicycle or public bus. City,
county, state and federal government agencies, including the Capitol
Buildings of the State of Ohio, several regional and national banks,
insurance companies, and major corporate headquarters are all
accessible without the use of an automobile. There is convenient
access to all other areas of the city by the freeway and bus systems
that converge downtown. Beginning as the home of the city’s elite
and currently home to a diverse urban community, Olde Towne East has
seen many changes. Its new residents strive to again represent that
diverse population of citizens that once made Olde Towne East a
great place.
Olde Towne East is located in the historical Near East Side of
Columbus, Ohio. It is one of Columbus' oldest neighborhoods. Nestled
between Downtown, Bexley, and Driving Park. Olde Towne East has over
1,000 homes, some as old as the 1830s, and more than 50
architechtural styles including Italianate, Queen Anne and
Victorian.
These homes were built by many of the famous individuals of Columbus
including industrialists, lawyers, judges, teachers, architects,
mayors, governors, and legislators, many of which shaped Columbus.
Today, people of all colors, backgrounds, lifestyles, and incomes
make up Olde Towne East. The neighborhood is much sought after for
the housing stock and convenience to all Columbus has to offer.
James, Bob. Bryden Road Historic District. Columbus: Silver Moon
Graphics, 1992 Office of Strategic Research, Interview by author, 17
April 2000, The Ohio Department of Development OTENA (Olde Towne
East Neighborhood Association). Olde Towne East Foundations of the
Past Revitalized for the Future. Columbus: OTENA, 1990 OTENA. Olde
Towne Walking Tour. 21 May 2000
Sterling, Lea Ann. Historic Homes of Olde Towne; Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus: Victory Postcards, Inc., 1999
The Olde Towne East Neighborhood Website