Columbus might be known today for its booming downtown and sprawling suburbs, but the heart of the city lies in the neighborhoods that helped shape it. Long before the Short North was packed with art galleries and coffee shops, places like Flytown, Franklinton, and German Village were laying the foundations—literally and culturally—for the Columbus we know today.
From immigrant enclaves to jazz meccas, here’s how the city’s oldest neighborhoods tell the story of Columbus’s evolution, one brick at a time.
Flytown
Flytown isn’t a name you’ll find on a modern map, but in the late 1800s, this working-class neighborhood northwest of downtown was one of Columbus’s most diverse and bustling areas. It earned its name from the wooden homes that seemed to “fly up overnight” to house the influx of Irish, Welsh, and German immigrants working in nearby factories.
Centered around what is now the Arena District and Victorian Village, Flytown later became home to Italian and Eastern European families, and eventually to Black residents migrating north during the Great Migration. The Godman Guild, established in 1898, became a pillar of community life, offering education, recreation, and support services.
But by the mid-20th century, Flytown faced the same fate as many historically marginalized neighborhoods: erased by urban renewal. The construction of I-670 displaced hundreds of residents, and the neighborhood was slowly absorbed into the surrounding areas. Today, very few physical remnants remain, but its legacy lives on in the cultural fabric of Columbus.
Franklinton
Before Columbus was Columbus, there was Franklinton. Founded in 1797 by surveyor Lucas Sullivant, this area was the first non-Indigenous settlement in Central Ohio. It was even considered as a potential site for Ohio’s state capital before the honor was given to a site across the Scioto River.
Franklinton has always been a neighborhood of resilience. It faced near-destruction in the 1913 flood and spent much of the 20th century in economic decline. But in recent years, artists, developers, and longtime residents have worked together to breathe new life into the area. Galleries, community spaces, and innovative housing projects are helping Franklinton reclaim its role as a cornerstone of the city.
King-Lincoln Bronzeville
East of downtown, King-Lincoln Bronzeville was once the epicenter of Black culture and business in Columbus. In the early 1900s, the neighborhood was home to thriving jazz clubs, Black-owned banks, and prominent figures in medicine, law, and the arts.
The Lincoln Theatre, recently restored to its original Art Deco glory, hosted musical legends like Duke Ellington and Count Basie. But like Flytown, King-Lincoln Bronzeville was deeply impacted by mid-century urban renewal. Whole blocks were razed, and community institutions were lost. Over the years, even more cultural landmarks, like the Vernon Theatre, were torn down.
Still, the neighborhood remains a cultural landmark. Ongoing revitalization efforts aim to honor its rich heritage, restore its infrastructure, and ensure that longtime residents can be part of its future.
Clintonville
Now one of the most beloved residential neighborhoods in Columbus, Clintonville actually began as a getaway destination. In the mid-1800s, it was dotted with summer homes and religious campgrounds for families escaping the bustle of downtown.
With the arrival of the Columbus streetcar system in the early 1900s, Clintonville transformed into a full-fledged suburb. Its development boomed during the early 20th century, and many of the charming craftsman-style homes from that era still stand today.
Landmarks like Whetstone Park of Roses give the neighborhood its identity, but so do the local businesses and civic pride. Clintonville has always marched to the beat of its own drum, and that independent spirit is part of what makes it feel like its own little village within the city.
Olde Towne East
If you want to see a neighborhood that captures every era of Columbus architecture, head to Olde Towne East. Located just east of downtown, this neighborhood was once home to some of the city’s wealthiest residents—and it shows in the eclectic mix of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival homes.
After decades of decline in the mid-20th century, Olde Towne East has rebounded as a hub for artists, renovators, and urban pioneers. It’s a place where a 19th-century mansion might sit next to a community garden, and where the city’s history is visible block by block.
German Village
German Village is arguably the crown jewel of Columbus’s historic neighborhoods. Developed in the mid-1800s by German immigrants, the neighborhood thrived with businesses, breweries, and churches. Its tidy brick homes and cobblestone streets made it a picture of prosperity—until the anti-German sentiment of World War I and subsequent economic decline led to disrepair.
But here’s where German Village stands out: the community fought back. In the 1960s, residents organized to preserve the neighborhood’s architectural integrity, leading to a successful grassroots preservation movement. Today, it’s a model of how neighborhoods can honor the past while embracing the present, and it’s one of the most desirable places to live in the city.
Why These Stories Matter
It’s easy to think of cities in terms of skylines and new developments, but the real stories are in the neighborhoods, especially the ones with deep roots. By learning about Flytown, Franklinton, German Village, King-Lincoln Bronzeville, and Olde Towne East, we understand not just where Columbus has been, but where it’s going—and who helped build it along the way.
