History of Columbus, Ohio, USA

1812 - Columbus, Ohio founded

wikipedia.org

1816 - Columbus named state capital.

1854 - Columbus
Columbus city, capital of the state of Ohio, and seat of justice of Franklin county, is pleasantly situated on the E. bank of the Scioto river, 90 miles from its mouth, 116 miles N. E. from Cincinnati, 115 miles S. from Sandusky citv, and 350 miles from Washington. Lat. 39° 57' N., Lon. 83° 3' W. It is on the same parallel of latitude with Philadelphia, from which it is 450 miles distant. It was laid out in 1812, in the midst of an unbroken wilderness, and incorporated in 1816. The state house, a plain brick building, was erected in 1814, and the legislature met here for the first time in December, 1816. The site of Columbus is level; the streets are wide and laid out with great neatness and uniformity. Broad street, 120 feet wide, extends from east to west, and is crossed by High street, 100 feet wide, on which the principal business is transacted. At the intersection of these is a public square of 10 acres. The old state house, occupying one corner of this square, was entirely... Read MORE...

1868 - THE BURNING OF THE OHIO LUNATIC ASYLUM.
A Columbus dispatch of the 18th inst., to the Cincinnati Gazette, gives the following additional particulars of the burning of the Central Lunatic Asylum at the place:

A few minutes before 10 o'clock tonight a fire broke out in the north end of the east wing of the Central Ohio Lunatic Asylum, and the entire building is now being rapidly destroyed. The fire is said to have originated from a defective flue. The fire department was promptly on hand, but owing to an insufficiency in the supply of water, was unable to resist the progress of the flames. The engine belonging to the institution has been constantly pumping water, but not in sufficient quantity to keep the steamers constantly employed.
The wing where the fire originated was occupied by women, six of whom were suffocated before aid could reach them. Their bodies were saved. One more was carried out alive, but has since died. The other patients have been taken to the hospital on the asylum grounds, and to various public... Read MORE...

1872 - February 22 - 1st national convention of Prohibition Party (Columbus Ohio)

historyorb.com

1880 - April 2 - A mother propped up her baby in a chair in a photograph gallery in Columbus, Ohio, to have its picture taken, and then excused herself for a moment. She has not yet returned.

The Cambria Freemen
Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
April 2, 1880

1888 - The factory of the Buckeye Buggy Company at Columbus, O., was burned on the 13th, causing a loss of $150,000.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 17, 1888

1895 - Columbus
Columbus, the capital city of Ohio and the county seat of Franklin co., is situated on the Scioto River, by rail 120 miles N.E. of Cincinnati, 138 miles S.S.W. of Cleveland, 193 miles W. by S. of Pittsburg, 314 miles S.E. of Chicago, and about 350 miles direct, or 487 by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, W. of Washington. Lat. 39° 57' N.; lon. 82° 59' W. The site of Columbus is an elevated plateau, its streets are broad, lighted by gas and electricity, well paved and shaded, and traversed by 50 miles of electric railway, reaching every section of the city. The chief avenues are Broad street, 120 feet wide, running E. and W., and noted for its double rows of shade-trees, and High street, the principal business street, 100 feet wide, nearly 7 miles in length, and traversed by a double-track street-railway. These avenues intersect each other at right angles, and have at their intersection a public square of 10 acres, in which is situated the state capitol, 304 feet long by 184 feet wide,... Read MORE...

1899 - ENGINE KILLS SIX. SEVEN MEMBERS OF AN OHIO FAMILY RUN DOWN BY TRAIN.
At Columbus, Ohio, six members of a family of seven were killed at the Woodward Avenue crossing of the Big Four Railroad. The seventh lies in a critical condition at one of the city hospitals. MR. and MRS. REINHARD and their five sons had gone out for a drive in a one-horse surrey. They went first to the home of Mrs. Jacob Hoffman, near the State Fair grounds, whose husband had been killed only last Friday in a local railway yard. After a short time spent there the REINHARD family started to go to the home of a sister of MR. REINHARD. Their road lay across the tracks of the Big Four Railway, which runs along the west side of the State Fair grounds. A high board fence around the fair grounds shuts off the view of all trains approaching from the north.
Several eye witnesses to the accident say the surrey was driven upon the tracks without any of the occupants noticing the train, which struck the vehicle just as it rested squarely on the tracks. The surrey was knocked into a thousand... Read MORE...

1901 - July 24 – O. Henry is released from prison in Columbus, Ohio after serving three years for embezzlement from the First National Bank in Austin, Texas.

wikipedia.org
July 24, 1901

1907 - BIG FOUR TRAIN WRECK. ONE OF THE FASTEST TRAINS ON NEW YORK CENTRAL WENT THRU OPEN SWITCH AT COLUMBUS, O. MANY PASSENGERS ARE INJURED.
Columbus, O., June 18 - Big Four passenger train No. 19, one of the fastest trains on the New York Central lines, went thru an open switch today in the northern part of the city and is now lying on its side along the tracks. Several passengers were injured. Several of them are wondering how they escaped being instantly killed.

The train was rushing along according to one of the passengers at fifty miles an hour when it struck the switch throwing the passengers in every direction.

The tender of the engine ran along the side of the track for some distance and then plunged into the ground about twenty-five feet. The engine continued along the side of the track for 200 yards and then turned over as did the rest of the train.

Engineer WILLIAM T. SMITH remained at his post and was uninjured. His fireman, JOSEPH MAHAFFEY of Cleveland, jumped and was probably fatally injured.

Sleepers Were Wrecked.
The train, which is a mate of the Twentieth Century limited, carried thru sleepers ... Read MORE...

1909 - $200,000 FIRE IN COLUMBUS. Blaze Destroys Five-Story Building Opposite the One in Which It Started.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 26. - Fire which started by a gas explosion early to-day in the four-story building occupied by the Brunswick Bowling Company, opposite the rear of the Chittenden Hotel, spread to the five-story building occupied by the Tracy-Wells Company and destroyed it with the contents. The total loss is placed at $200,000.

Many tenants occupied the upper rooms of the Brunswick Bowling Company and twenty families were driven out. Several soldiers who happen to be near helped to rescue a number of half-clad women and children.
The New York Times
New York, New York
February 27, 1909

1910 - November 7 - The first air freight shipment (from Dayton, Ohio, to Columbus, Ohio) is undertaken by the Wright Brothers and department store owner Max Moorehouse.

historyorb.com
November 7, 1910

1916
Columbus, the capital city of Ohio and the county- seat of Franklin co., is situated on the Scioto River and on the Baltimore and Ohio, the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago Mid St. Louis, the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis and other railroads, 120 miles NE. of Cincinnati. Lat. 40° N. ; Lon. 83° W. The site of Columbus is an elevated plateau. The streets are broad and traversed by electric railways to all parts of the city. The chief avenues are Broad Street, 120 feet wide, running E. and W. and beautifully planted with shade-trees, and High Street, the principal business street. These avenues intersect each other at right angles, and have at their intersection a public square of 10 acres, in which is situated the state capital, 304 feet long by 184 feet wide, built of limestone quarried in the vicinity. Among the institutions of the city are the Ohio State University, with well-equipped technical laboratories and archaeological and other museums; the Capital University... Read MORE...

1947 - September 15 - First 4 engine jet propelled fighter plane tested, Columbus, Ohio

historyorb.com
September 15, 1947

2023 - Whether you're into art, history, nature, or just want to explore, Columbus has something for everyone. Here's a list:
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium:

One of the top-rated zoos in the country, it's a great place for families and animal lovers. The Heart of Africa exhibit and the polar bear habitat are must-sees.

Short North Arts District:

A vibrant neighborhood filled with art galleries, boutiques, and trendy restaurants. Perfect for an afternoon stroll and some unique shopping.

German Village:

A historic neighborhood with charming brick houses, cobblestone streets, and a strong German influence. Great for walking, exploring, and enjoying a meal at one of the local pubs.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens:

A beautiful oasis in the city, featuring a variety of plant collections, stunning gardens, and art installations. Check out the Blooms & Butterflies exhibit if you're there in the warmer months.

Scioto Mile:

A scenic park along the riverfront with walking and biking trails, fountains, and a beautiful view of the city skyline. Perfect for a leisurely stroll or a... Read MORE...