Franklinton is the oldest neighborhood in Columbus, if not Central Ohio. In 1797, Lucas Sullivant, a surveyor from Virginia, purchased some land along the Scioto River, and built a home nearby. Sullivant laid out a map for a town along the banks of the Scioto River, and it was named Franklinton, after Benjamin Franklin. In 1812, State Legislators proposed a new State Capital opposite Franklinton on the other side of the Scioto River. For the first 21 years in Ohio's History, Franklinton was the County Seat for Franklin County, and was a central part in General William Henry Harrison's army in the War of 1812. After Columbus was built and became the county seat, Franklinton's growth was stunted, and in 1870, Franklinton became part of Columbus.
Despite the annexation into Columbus, it seemed that Franklinton would have a long and prosperous future. March 25, 1913 changed that. It was on that Tuesday, that the Scioto River flooded the community, leaving nothing but destruction in its path. People left Franklinton, and Franklinton would lose the mighty muster that it once had. Despite that, Central High School was re-located to the west bank of the Scioto River in 1924, where it stayed for 58 years, when the school closed in 1982. As Columbus expanded outward, Franklinton was a blighted area, high in crime, and still suffering the effects from the devastating Flood of 1913.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Franklinton Floodwall was re-constructed, and when the Floodwall was complete, Franklinton’s civic leaders were looking to build the future of Franklinton.
In 2011, artist studios opened up at 400 West Rich Street, which was once a sanitation warehouse, left abandoned. 400 West Rich became the anchor of the Franklinton Arts District. Murals and art popped up near 400 West Rich. In 2014, the Ethical Arts Collective moved two blocks west on Rich Street. But, that is not all. Go West (Franklinton) is a block party held in Franklinton each year that brings people to the community. The Urban Scrawl is held at 400 West Rich Street every August, where there is music, food, and art. The 400 West Rich Farmer’s Market is held year-round at 400 West Rich, and in the adjoining event space at Strongwater Food and Spirits, located in the rear of 400 West Rich Street.
In 2014, the Arts District will have new residents. In April, the Ethical Arts Collective opened up shop at 566 West Rich Street, two blocks west of 400 West Rich. In the summer of 2014, the Columbus Idea Foundry will relocate from the Milo-Grogan neighborhood to the warehouse located at 421 West State Street. In the fall, Glass Axis, a glass arts studio, will relocate to Franklinton, at 619 W. Town St, from the Grandview area.
And the interest in Franklinton keeps on coming. This week, it was announced that Nationwide Realty is purchasing the Byers Chevrolet Building (555 W. Broad St.), as the car dealership is relocating to Grove City in the fall. That may spark further development in Franklinton, like with the Arena District and Grandview Yard. Things are looking good for the Franklinton Arts District.
CITY: Columbus
SCHOOL DISTRICT: Columbus City Schools
BUS ACCESSIBLE: Yes (COTA – Line 3: West Mound Street, Line 6: Sullivant Avenue, Line 10: West Broad Street, Line 12: McKinley/Fields, Line 14: Harmon/Greenlawn, Line 15: Grove City, Line 222: West Broad/Casino)
