The Near East Side is a neighborhood located near downtown Columbus, Ohio, made up of several neighborhoods: Mount Vernon, King-Lincoln Bronzeville, Eastgate, Franklin Park, Nelson Park, Olde Towne East, and Woodland Park.
Following the Civil War, the city of Columbus began to grow at unprecedented rates. The development of the street car transit system changed the footprint of the city, as more residents were able to live further away from their place of employment. Areas along major arterial routes grew even more, and the edge of the city was pushed out to Alum Creek (due to annexation). At this time the Near East was a prestigious and wealthy community, containing many large and luxurious homes, successful businesses, and a thriving artist community. [1]
By the 1920s the Near East area had developed its own identity and a collection of unique neighborhoods. Hamilton Park and Long Street became a wealthy African American neighborhood filled with stores, theatres, offices, restaurants, and numerous clubs and lounges featuring jazz music.
The area had five movie houses located close to one another: Dunbar Theater at Mount Vernon and Champion avenues; The Cameo, on Mount Vernon Ave near 20th, which prohibited African Americans from entering; The Pythian Theater, on Mount Vernon near Monroe and Garfield, which is now the King Arts Complex; and Lincoln Theater and Empress Theater on Long Street near Hamilton Park. [2]
By the early 1940s, Poindexter Village, one of the nation's first public housing projects, was opened in the Near East. It was named after Reverend James Preston Poindexter, the first African American City Council Member of Columbus. [3]
The increased interest in and ownership of the automobile continued to change the Near East Side, as sprawl, regional shopping centers, and suburbs altered the character of cities. Two of the most dramatic events in the Near East were the construction of the interstate highways in the 1960s; Interstate 71 North and South, and Interstate 70 East and West. The new construction served as a hard barrier to the area, which further separated Broad Street from the rest of downtown. However, highway exits directly into the area further spurred development and simultaneously ended the use of Broad St as the main East-West travel road. The East Side On Columbus’ East Side is a bulk of the city’s urban community as the Columbus Ohio ghetto expands from multiple communities including the King Lincoln neighborhood, or Bronzeville, and into areas of the far East Side along either James Road or Livingston.
Over the years the East Side would become infamous for the old Uzi Alley and Poindexter housing complexes, as well a number other ‘hoods from Trevitt N Atcheson to Elaine Road.
The Near East is bounded by I-670 to the North, I-70 to the South, Alum Creek to the East, and I-71 to the West. The area is approximately 2.5 square miles and occupies the space directly east of the original city laid out in 1812. [4]
U.S. Route 40 is an east-west U.S. Highway, which once traversed the entire country and passes through Columbus along Main St. It was built on top of existing freeways, such as the Historic National Road, which connected Zanesville to Columbus in 1833, and Columbus to Springfield in 1838.
The City of Columbus has designated the Near East Side as a Community Reinvestment Area that is "ready for revitalization", with available 15-year, 100 percent tax abatements for all projects that include 10 percent affordable housing, with options to buy out of the requirement. [5]
The Near East side is bounded by two zip codes: 43203 and 43205. [6]
As of the 2010 Census, 20,380 residents live in the 43203 and 43205 zip codes. There are 12,368 housing units in the Near East; roughly 30% of these units are unoccupied. Nearly 70% of the units in the Near East are Renter Occupied. [7]
The Near East is home to two elementary schools, Eastgate Elementary [8] and Beatty Park Elementary; [9] two middle schools, Champion Middle [10] and United Schools Network charter school Columbus Collegiate Academy; [11] and one high school, East High School. [12]
The Columbus Near East Side District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The Bryden Road District was established as a local historic district in 1990. [13] It was initially met with apprehension, for fear of certain historical aspects being erased from the area. [14] The Bryden Road District is subject to architectural review by the City of Columbus Historic Resources Commission. Bryden Road was renamed in order to thwart the expansion of the streetcar through the neighborhood; on one side it is Town Street and on the other side of Parsons Ave it is Bryden Road. The Bryden Road District runs east-west through both the Franklin Park and Olde Towne East neighborhoods. The area once was referred to as the "Silk Stocking District" because of the display of prosperity and opulence. More than 50 architectural styles can be found along Bryden Road, including French, German and Renaissance influence. [15]
The East Broad Street Historic District is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It includes the section of East Broad Street from Ohio Avenue on the west to Monypenny Street on the east.
Mount Vernon lies within the historic Near East Side community. It borders interstates 71 and 670. Its main thoroughfares, Mount Vernon Avenue, East Long Street, Atcheson Street, and Champion Avenue define the community's limits. It is a part of the Bronzeville area and had a strong African American and Jewish community. [16]
Developed in 1916, the Eastgate neighborhood includes Nelson Park, Eastgate Elementary School, and the intersection of East Broad Street and Nelson Road. It is commonly referred to as both Eastgate and Nelson Park. [17]
Eastwood Heights is bordered by Taylor Ave on the east, East Broad Street on the South, Hawthorne Ave on the north and Hughes St. on the west. [18]
This neighborhood is bounded by East Broad Street to the north, East Main Street to the south, and Wilson Avenue to the west.
The Alum Creek tributary separates the Franklin Park neighborhood from the City of Bexley and the area originally known as the "Wolfe Addition to Franklin Park," which is known in modern times as the Wolfe Park neighborhood. The Holtzman Main business district along the west bank of Alum Creek within the Franklin Park neighborhood.
Franklin Park is surrounded on the north by the other Near East neighborhoods of Eastgate, Nelson Park, Woodland Park, Eastwood Heights, and Bronzeville/King-Lincoln.
To the south are Hanford Village, Driving Park, and Old Oaks, which are both considered to be Columbus' Near South.
Olde Towne East is another Near East neighborhood that is situated between the Discovery and Market Districts of downtown Columbus and the Franklin Park neighborhood.
This historic neighborhood is located along Hamilton Park Avenue, between East Broad and East Long streets. The area was one of four residential areas built around "park-like boulevards." Due to the construction of the interstate, only 3 remain. The area was predominantly African American and was attractive to certain groups because of the area's proximity to the railroad tracks, which provided transportation and work. The area features unique architectural elements such as conical turrets, ironic columns, frieze windows, projecting bays, contrasting stone trim and tall chimneys... [19]
Hanford Village has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally founded as a village in 1909 and annexed by Columbus in 1955, Hanford was marketed to African American veterans, but much of the neighborhood was wiped out in the 1960s when I-70 was constructed. [20]
The area is located between Nelson Road and the west bank of the Alum Creek tributary within the Franklin Park Neighborhood. It is an old industrial district, which has plain buildings, lacks landscaping, and has narrow streets and alleys. The area is mainly commercial with businesses that include day care centers, a social service agency, catalog distribution, automotive repair services, car washes, a fuel center, and fast food and grocery. The Northern boundary of the area is Clowsen Field, Capital University's baseball diamond. A revitalization plan exists with recommendations to make aesthetic improvements and utilize the area as a gateway into the Franklin Park neighborhood and Near East. [21]
Just east of Downtown Columbus, this area is bordered by the Mount Vernon neighborhood and Atcheson Street on the north, North 20th Street on the east, Olde Towne East and East Broad Street on the south, and Interstate 71 on the west. The area was at one time much larger, including parts of what is now the Discovery District. The creation of I-71 significantly cut the area off from Downtown, causing socioeconomic decline and the growth of crime and violence. The neighborhood has become the focus of the city's revitalization efforts which include renovation of the historic Lincoln Theatre, construction of new condos and expansion of retail space along Mt. Vernon Avenue and East Long Street, which hosts the annual Long Street Tour cycling event.
Old Oaks is a historic street car neighborhood which started its growth when streetcar service became electrified in 1891. The area was designated a historic neighborhood in 1986. [22]
Olde Towne East is a neighborhood located in the historical Near East Side. It is one of Columbus' largest and oldest neighborhoods. Nestled between Downtown, Bexley, Old Oaks and South of Main. The area has over 1,000 homes, some as old as the 1830s, and more than 50 architectural styles including Italianate, Queen Anne and Victorian.
South of Main is a neighborhood located in the Near East Side. It is bounded by Main Street to the north, Interstate 70 to the south, the west bank of Alum Creek to the east, and Wilson Avenue to the west. Hanford Village, which was divided and decimated with the construction of I-70 in the 1950s, was once part of what is now known as the South of Main neighborhood. The most distinctive landmark at the far northeastern corner of the neighborhood is the cluster of silos that once stored grain and are now owned and used by Omni Materials.
This is the area bordered by Maryland Avenue to the north, Nelson Road to the east, East Broad Street to the south, and Taylor Avenue to the west. According to the Woodland Park Neighborhood Association website: "The neighborhood is home to an eclectic mixture of exquisite architecture including Colonial, Federal, Arts and Crafts, Victorian, Tudor, Mission, Dutch Colonial, Colonial Revival, Greek Revival, Georgian Colonial, French Eclectic, American Foursquare and Cape Cod. The neighborhood is composed of homes, town-homes and apartments ranging in size from massive mansions to bungalows and from penthouses to studio apartments. This diverse mixture of homes makes Woodland Park a comfortable, affordable and attractive neighborhood to live in."
The Near East area features over 1,000 unique homes with at least 50 different architectural styles. The Bryden Road and Broad Street corridors were once home to some of the wealthiest citizens with the most decadent homes, influenced by Queen Ane, Italianette, French, German, and Renaissance styles. [23]
Twelve parks, covering 165 acres, are within the Near East Area.
Located on South Nelson Rd and adjacent to Wolf Park, Academy Park features for-lease baseball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, a trail head, open green space, and Clowson Field. An indoor recreation center is located in the northern area of the park, which provides space for indoor athletic activities. [25]
Located on North Ohio Ave, Beatty Park features an indoor recreation center, outdoor playground equipment, basketball courts, well-lit tennis courts, and green space for family friendly activities. [26]
Located on Carpenter Street, this park features a sprayground, [27] basketball courts, green space, tennis courts, playground equipment, an indoor recreation center, and picnic space for families. [28]
English Park was so named as it was the site of the home of the English family, and is now home to the Kwanzaa Playground that was developed in 1995 as a joint effort between the community and the City of Columbus. Seven local artists and sculptors contributed the design and construction. The park has a human-like shape representing mankind's first ancestor. The playground underwent renovation by the Columbus Division of Parks and Recreation at a cost exceeding $300,000. The park focuses on positive African-American imagery to embrace the concept that "It takes a whole village to raise a child." [29] [30]
The Franklin Park Conservatory is a botanical garden and conservatory located in Columbus, Ohio. It is open daily and an admission fee is charged. Originally built in 1895, the Conservatory is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is a horticultural and educational institution showcasing exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, and Dale Chihuly artworks.
Located on Alum Creek Drive, this small community park features basketball courts, a playground, and picnic and green space for family friendly activities. [31]
Located on Linwood Ave, this park is a "pocket park" which features a paved path and benches. The park is maintained by the community. [32]
Located on E Main St, this park was formerly named Main-Alum Park. This park is the site of a water pumping station for Columbus, and is maintained by Bexley. It is also the former site of the Norwood Amusement Park. The park features open-air shelters, greenway trail access, and athletic fields/green space for family friendly activities. [33]
Located on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, features the Amos Lynch Plaza, which is utilized by the King Arts Complex, and is leased by the Garfield School. It is used by the community for gatherings, activities and celebrations. The park also features a gazebo named the Beatty Pavilion. The park has a playground, green space, and picnic space for family friendly activities. [34]
Located on Nelson Rd, this park was given to the City of Columbus in memory of David Nelson in 1911. It is approximately 30 acres and features athletic fields, basketball courts, greenway trail access, picnic space, a playground, a shelter space, and well lit walking trails and woods/wildlife areas. [35]
Located on Atcheson St, this park was formerly named Maryland Park, which opened in 1921. The first public swimming pool was built here in 1929 thanks to donations from The Columbus Dispatch. The park was dedicated to "Eddie" Saunders, a local African American radio personality, in 1989 and thusly renamed. The park is 14.5 acres and features athletic fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, picnic space, a playground, and swimming pools. [36] [37]
Located on Atcheson Street, this park features a community center for children and elderly for family friendly activities. It also features picnic space, tennis courts, and a walking trail. [38]
The Near East Area Commission was established in 1979 "to advocate for and serve the residents and citizens who live and work within the boundaries of the NEAC area." [39]
Franklinton is a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, just west of its downtown. Settled in 1797, Franklinton is the first American settlement in Franklin County, and was the county seat until 1824. As the city of Columbus grew, the city annexed and incorporated the existing settlement in 1859. Franklinton is bordered by the Scioto River on the north and east, Harmon Avenue on the east, Stimmel Road and Greenlawn Avenue on the south, and Interstate 70 on the west. Its main thoroughfare is West Broad Street, one of the city's two main roads.
The Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area is a metropolitan area in Central Ohio surrounding the state capital of Columbus. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, it includes the counties of Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, and Union. At the 2020 census, the MSA had a population of 2,138,926, making it 32nd-most populous in the United States and the second largest in Ohio, behind the Cincinnati metropolitan area. The metro area, also known as Central Ohio or Greater Columbus, is one of the largest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the Midwestern United States.
Downtown Columbus is the central business district of Columbus, Ohio. Downtown is centered on the intersection of Broad and High Streets, and encompasses all of the area inside the Inner Belt. Downtown is home to most of the tallest buildings in Columbus.
Olde Towne East is a neighborhood located in the historical Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio and is one of Columbus' oldest neighborhoods. The area has over 1,000 homes, some as old as the 1830s, and more than 50 architectural styles as a result of its history. These homes were built by many of the famous individuals of Columbus including industrialists, lawyers, judges, teachers, architects, mayors, governors, and legislators, many of whom shaped the city.
Columbus, the state capital and Ohio's largest city, has numerous neighborhoods within its city limits. Neighborhood names and boundaries are not officially defined. They may vary or change from time to time due to demographic and economic variables.
Driving Park is an urban residential area on the Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio just south of Interstate 70. Mainly a middle-class, predominantly African American neighborhood, Driving Park and its surrounding neighborhoods consist of an area of 17,730 residents. Driving Park received its name from its historic past as a large racing complex, first for horses and later for automobiles.
Mount Vernon is a predominantly African-American historic neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The neighborhood lies within the historic Near East Side community, north of King-Lincoln Bronzeville. Mount Vernon borders Interstates 71 and 670. Its main thoroughfares, Mount Vernon Avenue, Long Street, Atcheson Street, and Champion Avenue define the community's limits.
Old Oaks Historic District, or Old Oaks, is a neighborhood just south and east of downtown Columbus, Ohio and is an example of a streetcar suburb in the city.
King-Lincoln Bronzeville is a historically African American neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. Originally known as Bronzeville by the residents of the community, it was renamed the King-Lincoln District by Mayor Michael B. Coleman's administration to highlight the historical significance of the district's King Arts Complex and Lincoln Theatre, amid collaborations with investors and developers to revitalize the neighborhood.
Poplar is a neighborhood in Lower North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located north of Callowhill, between Spring Garden/Fairmount and Northern Liberties, bounded roughly by Girard Avenue to the north, North Broad Street to the west, Spring Garden Street to the south, and 5th Street to the east. The neighborhood is predominantly residential, with commercial frontage on Broad Street and Girard Avenue and some industrial facilities to the west of the railroad tracks along Percy St. and 9th St.
Engine House No. 12 is a former fire station in the Olde Towne East neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. Today it primarily houses Gemüt Biergarten, a German restaurant, brewery, and biergarten, with its second story used for offices. It is a contributing property to the Columbus Near East Side District, a national historic district established in 1978.
The city of Columbus is located in central Ohio at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. The region is dominated by a humid continental climate, characterized by hot, muggy summers and cold, dry winters.
Woodland Park is a residential neighborhood located in the Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio that houses approximately 1,500 residents. The neighborhood was previously home to such figures as artist Emerson Burkhart, cartoonist Billy Ireland, and judge William Brooks. Established in the early 20th century, Woodland Park has grown from its planned neighborhood roots into a neighborhood that contains various faith communities, schools, sources of entertainment and recreation, and borders an extension of the Ohio State University medical center.
Shiloh Baptist Church is a historic Baptist church in King-Lincoln Bronzeville, Columbus, Ohio. One of the oldest black churches in the city, it has been active since the 1860s, and its 1920s building has been named a historic site.
Franklin Park is a neighborhood located on the Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio. Both the historic neighborhood and landmark, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, are named after the 88-acre park.
Southern Orchards is an established neighborhood near the south side of Columbus, Ohio. It is located immediately southeast of downtown and is the 23rd most walkable neighborhood in Columbus with 3,538 residents. The neighborhood is the target of revitalization and beautification largely due to its anchor institution Nationwide Children's Hospital and a renewed interest in urban living in the city's core. Since 2008, more than 90 properties have been improved through the hospital’s Healthy Homes program and continued revitalization is occurring along the major streets of Livingston and Parsons Avenues as the city moves to reconnect downtown to its surrounding neighborhoods.
Broad Street is a major thoroughfare in Central Ohio, predominantly in Franklin County and Columbus. It stretches east from West Jefferson at Little Darby Creek to Pataskala. The street is considered one of Columbus's two main roads, along with High Street.
The Avery Pontiac Building is a historic building in Columbus, Ohio. It is located in Columbus's Near East Side, roughly between the Franklin Park and Olde Towne East neighborhoods. The building was added to the Columbus Near East Side District in 1978. It was individually listed on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties in 1984.
The Charles Frederick Myers house is a historic private residence in the Franklin Park neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. The house was built in 1896 in an eclectic style. It was added to the Columbus Near East Side District in 1978, and the Bryden Road District in 1990.