Updated: July 14, 2026
If you’re looking for the cutest Halloween house in Columbus, you’ve got to check out 963 Franklin Ave in Olde Towne East. This place, known as the A.J. Soseby House (or just “the broom house” to locals), has the most incredible Halloween decor.
| The Broom House at a Glance | |
| Address | 963 Franklin Ave, Columbus, OH 43205 |
| Neighborhood | Olde Towne East |
| Also known as | The A.J. Soseby House, aka “the broom house” |
| Architecture | 1895 Queen Anne Victorian |
| Best time to see it | Evenings in October, especially Trick-or-Treat night |
Broomsticks dangle from the porch, the windows, and even the fence, while pumpkins line the front steps for that perfect, witchy look. It’s a deep forest-green Queen Anne Victorian with a three-story turret and dark trim, so the architecture is already doing half the work before a single broom goes up.
Olde Towne East, with broomsticks hanging from the porch for Halloween” width=”750″ height=”1000″ class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-64792″ />
Built in 1895, this Queen Anne Victorian has changed hands many times over the decades. When the current owners bought it in 2018, they brought it back to life, pairing its old-school elegance with a quirkier, more playful streak. The Halloween setup is where that personality really shows.
That kind of history is everywhere in Olde Towne East. The neighborhood holds one of the largest collections of Victorian-era homes in Columbus, with hundreds of houses built between the 1870s and the early 1900s for the city’s merchants, doctors, and politicians. Every October, those steep gables, wraparound porches, and iron fences do half the work before a single decoration goes up.
And if you’re strolling through Olde Towne East this Halloween, take your time soaking in all the decor.
The neighborhood knows how to do Halloween right, with streets like Bryden Road even closing to traffic for Trick-or-Treat night so kids can safely enjoy all the spooky setups. From classic cobwebs to full haunted-house builds, the historic streets around it go all in.
How to see the broom house
Street parking on Franklin Ave is usually manageable, and the house sits within an easy walk of the rest of the neighborhood, so give yourself time for a slow lap around the block to take in the other setups. If you time your visit around Trick-or-Treat night, expect crowds near Bryden Road and plan to park a street or two out.
The A.J. Soseby House is located at 963 Franklin Ave.
The Broom House FAQ
Where is the “broom house” in Columbus?
It’s the A.J. Soseby House at 963 Franklin Ave, in the Olde Towne East neighborhood just east of downtown.
Why is it called the broom house?
Every October, dozens of broomsticks hang from the porch, windows, and front fence, the display locals recognize on sight.
What is the A.J. Soseby House?
It’s the nickname for this 1895 Victorian, tied to the current owners’ A.J. Soseby name. The Halloween decor is what put it on the map.
When do the Halloween decorations go up?
Typically early-to-mid October, and they stay up through Halloween.
Can you visit or trick-or-treat there?
It’s a private home, so enjoy it from the sidewalk. For trick-or-treat, nearby Bryden Road closes to traffic and goes all out.
If you’re planning to check out the house in all its Halloween glory, just remember to be respectful. This is a home, after all, and it’s important to keep the neighborhood’s charm and warmth alive. The decorations might be extra, but the point is the neighborhood, so keep it friendly and let the people who live here enjoy their block.
