Forgotten Columbus

Images of America: Ohio

by Andrew Lawrence Henderson

A fascinating and insightful look at a forgotten era in Columbus, Ohio's history, today the state's largest city with a robust and exciting past. Columbus, Ohio, ""an odd amalgam of the planned and the spontaneous,"" was founded on the banks of the Scioto River in 1812 as the new seat of this young state's government. Located in the wilderness of central Ohio, nearly equidistant to the ""real"" cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo, Columbus experienced 100 years of unprecedented growth from which it would emerge the state's capital in more than title alone. Today, it is Ohio's largest city. Forgotten Columbus features many people, places, and events that defined this burgeoning 19th and early-20th century city. And above all, the places--from the Old Ohio Penitentiary, to Fort Hayes, to the recently revitalized Brewery District--which either no longer exist, or have changed so dramatically over the years that they are barely recognizable. Residents and visitors alike will find this a fascinating, insightful, and at times surprising look back at a forgotten era in Columbus's history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2002

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read, only took 2 days to finish, lots of interesting photos. Only wish they would have included a map or something to show where these locations were in present-day Columbus.

[Paul Lunger · Rating 5 out of 5]

From 2002 out of the "Images of America: Ohio" series, comes this entry by Andrew Henderson dealing with "Forgotten Columbus". In this stroll down memory lane, we the reader get a look at some of the things that made this city what it is & that is now gone. As someone has lived in Columbus for a decade, this book offered me a bit of a glimpse into the past & also the history that makes this city so very unique.

[Kayla Modschiedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enlightening

Born and raised in Columbus but didn’t know half of the information in this book. Some of the buildings are still around some are long gone. It’s neat to see local landmarks I know very well (Ohio State)surrounded by countryside or farm fields. Columbus has come a looooooooong way since the early days

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capital City

Very well written and researched..Great Photos..
Learned a lot about The history and significance of some of the Great Architecture and uses of these buildings..So Sad that many have gone to rack and ruin..I wish more could have been done to preserve these Grand structures

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love seeing the photographs with the text. It makes it so much easier to imagine these old buildings in places where something different now exists.

[Jim Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old Columbus Ohio history

A well done look back at the history of Columbus Ohio iconic buildings. Decent but smallish photos. Worth the read.

[Rachel Allene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay - that was fascinating!

I've also never before had to fight the urge to cry over buildings. It became fairly disheartening when caption after caption said "now demolished" or "demolished in -" or "burned to the ground." So much history... just.. gone.

Also, how had I never heard about the Ohio Penitentiary? It was only recently demolished (1990s) in favor of Nationwide Arena (rolling my eyes)... I mean. Wow, the horrors that took place there.. and also, wow, the buildings were a magnificent ode to architecture of times gone by.

[Sarah]

I'd like to add a note, the Franklin County Veteran's Memorial Hall as shown in the book was torn down in 2015. Here is the link from the Dispatch: http://www.dispatch.com/article/20150... I grew up going to COSI there and my children enjoy the new COSI and we were all shocked that such a beautiful and historic building was demolished.

[Nellie Kampmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fascinating to get a look at so many long forgotten parts of Columbus history. My only disappointment is that it did not go more in depth. Unfortunately, that's a limitation Arcadia has on this series.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

I wasn't completely sure what I was getting into when I decided to borrow this book, but it ended up being a fabulous read! I especially loved the chapters on the old Ohio Pen, Frank Packard's Columbus, and the information about the old hospitals -- most interesting!