The Worthington Inn
S.E. Corner of High St. and W. New England Ave.Images: (1) Worthington Inn, (2) Hotel Central employees, c. 1910; (3) Hotel Central after 1901; (4) Snyder's Old Worthigton Inn, after 1952The Worthington Inn is the only hotel property in town that can trace its heritage back to the early 19th century. A two-story, three-bay brick structure was built ca. 1835 as a residence for the Renesselaer W. and Laura (Kilbourn) Cowles family. R.W. Cowles was a prominent citizen who was a trustee of both the Worthington Medical College and the Female Seminary and the owner of a large general store where the businesses to the right stand today. In 1854 William Bishop bought and enlarged the property for $5000. He added the section that includes the left hand door and window, both first and second floors. He was the first to operate it as a hotel with a livery stable in the rear. Early inns in Worthington were similar to boarding houses. Subsequent owners changed the name. In addition to "The Bishop House," it has been known as "Union Hotel," "Central House," "New England Inn", and finally "The Worthington Inn." As the Central Hotel it entertained “tally-ho parties” and “coaching parties” from Columbus. The completion of the electric railway between Columbus and Worthington made the inn an attractive destination for summer boarders escaping the city.After fire destroyed the roof and damaged the second floor, the owners, the Van Loons, added the third floor and Mansard roof creating a ballroom famous for oyster suppers and chicken dinners. After several owners, the Inn was sold to George Snyder in 1952 who named it 'Snyder's Old Worthington Inn". In 1983 the inn was restored to the Victorian period.
Kilbourne Commercial Building
679-681 High StreetImages: (1) HER; (2) West side of HIgh Street c. 1850, Kilbourne Commercial building far right; (3) c. 1900 when occupied by Dentist and UndertakerThis building is noteworthy as the oldest surviving building in Worthington and as the oldest commercial building in Ohio still standing on its original site and in continuous use since being built. The original part of this building, 56 feet long and 22 feet wide, was built ca. 1807 by James Kilbourn. The building was constructed very much as it remains today, with ground floor rooms each having a separate entrance to the main street. One room had the printing press where the first newspaper in Central Ohio, The Western Intelligencer, was published. Another room had Kilbourn's retail store, which evolved into the Worthington Manufacturing Company and sold "a large and almost universally assorted store of European and India goods." The company developed a chain of stores from Columbus to Bucyrus as well as the manufacturing site along the Olentangy River. The third room was Kilbourn's surveying office. The three sections reflect Kilbourn's three commercial enterprises.The second floor was originally living quarters where Kilbourn's large family and their boarders lived.Throughout much of the 19th century the building had grocery, hardware or general stores on the ground floor. It was also home to an undertaking business in the early 1900s. It is still in use as a commercial building today.
Adams-Bishop-Heath House
721 High St.Images: (1) Adams-Bishop-Heath House; (2) Uriah HeathThis home, built ca. 1817-1818, is a good example of the Federal/Georgian architecture that was popular in the building boom following the War of 1812 during the early years in Worthington. Its five bay facade with four rooms up and four rooms down was a large home for that period.The original owners, Demas and Susan Adams, most likely ran this property as a boarding house associated with the Kilbourn's nearby “Worthington Hotel” and for students attending the Worthington Academy. In 1830 Adams sold the property to William Bishop, a saddler, and prominent member of the Methodist Church. When Bishop moved from this site to operate the “Bishop House” (Worthington Inn) in 1854, he sold the home to Rev. Uriah Heath, a Methodist minister. Heath led a movement to replant trees on the public square to replace those the pioneers had removed. He was also instrumental in developing Worthington’s first residential subdivision, the Morris Addition on the southeast side of the original village. In 1952 the Corbins covered the original black walnut with new siding and added the pedimented entry. The original frame of hand-hewn beech and oak beams, pressed timber and ash floors remain today.(Private residence)
Village Green
Intersection of High St. and Dublin–Granville Rd.Images: (1) Village Green intersection with trolley car, c. 1895; (2) Southeast quadrant of the Village Green looking north toward St. John's Church c. 1900; (3) Trees lining the sidewalks, c. 1900The most striking evidence of Worthington's New England heritage is the Village Green.The Scioto Company planned for this “Public Square” two years before migrating west to Ohio. It symbolized the center of community, government, education, religion and commerce and played an important role in Worthington's history. These four acres were covered with trees upon the pioneers’ arrival. The first recorded celebration on the square was July 4, 1804 when seventeen trees were felled to celebrate Ohio’s becoming the seventeenth state the previous year. The first well in the village was dug on the Village Green and pioneers walked from their temporary cabins to get their water. In the days before the War of 1812 the militia drilled on the Green. Animals were allowed to graze freely in Worthington, even on the public ground, until an ordinance in 1836 prevented sheep and swine from grazing at-large within the village limits. At a later date horses, mules, cattle, goats, and geese were also restricted. Late in the 19th century the Village Green began to acquire the look of the park that we see today, complete with grass and trees. 1841 brought sidewalks, and in 1863 62 trees were planted. In 1893 the Columbus Electric Street Railway laid tracks from downtown Columbus to the Village Green allowing Worthington residents to travel to and from the capital city every half hour.
Buttles-Pinney-Brown House
12 E. Stafford Ave.Images: (1) 12 East Stafford/High Road Gallery; (2) Sidney Brown, c. 1860; (3) Anna Hart Brown, c. 1860; 9$) Brown/Weaver family c. 1890 on north side of homeThe Federal style five bay brick residence was built by brick mason Arora Buttles as a “spec” house, ca. 1818. Unable to sell it due to the 1819 depression, he chose to live in it from 1821 – 1823 following his marriage to Harriet Kilbourn Case, a widowed daughter of James Kilbourn. In 1823 the property was purchased by an out-of-state owner who rented it out.Albert Henry Pinney, the owner of a store just north of this house and a trustee of the village, purchased the house in the 1830. He lived there until 1839, when it was bought by Sidney Brown, a cooper by trade, who operated a grocery store to the north of his home. He also had a shop for making and repairing barrels to the rear of the house. The structure retains much of its original character. It is an excellent example of the combined residential/commercial architecture popular during the early 19th century. Even though it has been converted from residential to office use, visitors who enter the original family quarters will find built-in cupboards flanking the fireplace very similar to those in the Orange Johnson House.The Buttles-Pinney-Brown House has most recently been the site of the High Road Gallery, featuring monthly art exhibitions.
Orange Johnson House
956 High St.Images: (1) 1819 Federal Wing; (2) Rear wing buillt in 1811 by Arora Buttles; (3) Sitting Room inside the museum; (4) 1811 Advertisement for the sale of the origina Pioneer home; (4) Orange JohnsonThis property offers a unique view of both the pioneer and Federal periods in Worthington. It is also one of the oldest residences standing in its original site in central Ohio.The oldest portion, a six-room house to the rear, was built in 1811 by Arora Buttles. The house stood on thirty-five acres, part of a choice farm lot next to the village. The pioneer architecture can be seen in the low-ceilinged rooms and the dogleg staircase to the second story. The kitchen has the original fireplace with a large iron crane where the pioneers did their cooking.In 1816 Orange Johnson, a hornsmith who specialized in comb-making, bought the property for $1500. He added a stately Federal-style addition high-lighted by an elegant fanlight entry. The addition faced west toward the road that was becoming the main route [now High St.] between the new state capital and Lake Erie. Johnson accumulated wealth by investing in real estate and was superintendent for the construction of the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike. The house is now owned by the Worthington Historical Society as an interpretative lifestyle museum with pre-1850 furnishings. It is open to the public Sundays 2-5 and to group tours by appointment.
Mattoon-Woodrow House
72 E. North St.Images: (1) Mattoon-Woodrow House; (2) c.1940; about ten years after moving from High Street to North StreetThe house was built ca. 1837-40 for Ansel Mattoon, a Worthington blacksmith. Mattoon was strongly opposed to slavery and hosted meetings of the Antislavery Society of Worthington in his home, which was also a station on the “underground railroad”. As a blacksmith and wagon maker Mattoon could drive his wagon north without arousing suspicion. Other antislavery sympathizers lived on what is now Flint Road, and his brother Dr. John Wesley Mattoon, a physician in Delaware County had married Charlotte Pinney of Worthington. In 1854 Mattoon sold the house to Reverend Thomas Woodrow, minister of the Worthington Presbyterian Church and the grandfather of President Woodrow Wilson, for $1500. The brick portion of the house was moved from the southwest corner of North and High Streets in 1932 to its present location. It is an excellent example of Federal architecture with its common bond brickwork, symmetrical five-bay facade, transom lighted entry, gable roof and end chimneys.(Private residence)
Travis-Scott House
72 East Dublin-Granville RoadThis charming house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and may have been built ca. 1820. It is one of the few remaining early frame houses in Worthington. It has an early New England saltbox addition to the rear as commonly seen in homes of New England and the Ohio Valley. The 9 over 6 windows appear to be original to a period from 1810 to 1820. It is believed that this house was moved to its present location on E. Dublin-Granville Road from High St. The home is named for Travis Scott who purchased it in 1853 for $325 and owned it until 1856, although it has had many owners.In 1845 William and Charlotte Bishop sold the lot to John Hart although they appeared to be living elsewhere. Ezra and Harriet Gilbert sold the lot and improvements to Gideon Wilcox in 1849. When Scott purchased the home in 1856, he signed with an “X”. Since that time there have been around eight additionl transfers of ownership.(Private residence)
Topping-Evans House
92 East Granville RoadImages: (1) Topping-Evans House; (2) Whitfield and Mary Evans, c. 1870This Second-Empire style home is distinguished by the mansard roof added by Whitfield Evans in an 1884 remodeling of a modest brick home which had housed the Topping family for a number of years. Widow Mary Ann Russell Topping was the daughter of James Russell, the builder of a magnificent orrey (planetarium) exhibited in New York City, and the family she raised here included J. R. Topping, superintendent of Goodale Park in Columbus.Whitfield Evans was a tinner who sold stoves and furniture in Worthington and Columbus. An 1884 newspaper noted that "Whit Evans has actually moved his family into his new mansion on State Street [Granville Rd]". The renovation incorporated exquisitly detailed architecture and interior craftsmanship. This renovation came about 10 years before the Worthington Inn was renovated to have a similar mansard roof.
Sharon Memorial Hall
137 East Granville RoadImages: (1) Sharon Memorial Hall; (2) Horace Wright Residence, c. 1860s; (3) With porch added, early 1900's; (4) Historical Society Sale on the lawn, 1960sOriginally this home was the elegant residence for three generations of Wrights. It was built in 1861 by Horace Wright in before his marriage to Henrietta Tuller. One of eight children of Potter Wright and Lovisa Maynard Wright, Horace and wife Henrietta had five children. In one week in 1876, three died from childhood diphtheria. Subsequent generations of the Wright family occupied the home until 1940. Although the balustrades no longer adorn the hipped roof of the old Wright home, many structure features of the Victorian residence have been retained. Of note is the stone arch outlining the recessed entry. The impressive front porch and columns were added in the early 1900s. Following a War Memorial Levy in 1945, the property was conveyed to the Trustees of the Sharon Township Memorial as it is now known. The building housed the Historical Society museum from 1955-1969. It now houses office space for a variety of uses.This home was built on lots one through four of the Morris Addition. This was Worthington’s first subdivision, an area of 188 lots bounded by Granville Rd., Morning St., South St. and Andover St. It is named for Cincinnati business man, Calvary Morris who developed it with Uriah Heath and William Bishop. Heath was a Methodist minister believed that free African Americans and retired Methodist ministers should have a place for their own homes. He teamed up with William Bishop, a saddler, who operated the Bishop Hotel (Worthington Inn). Heath began selling lots as early as 1855.
Scanland-Skeele House
700 Hartford St.This house is distinctive because it has double galleries, a feature popular in southern homes. Early Worthington merchants traveling to Natchez and New Orleans would have seen this architectural style which reflects a time when porches were a place to catch a summer breeze and to greet your neighbors. This residence is also one of the best preserved examples of 19th century braced-framed construc-tion in Worthington, and was the home of Captain Skeele. It originally faced Granville Road but was turned ninety degrees and moved slightly south early in the 20th century and it now faces Hartford Street.The house was originally built for the James and Mary Scanland family ca. 1837, and wagon master Scanland may have built some of the hand-hewn beams himself.In 1864 Harriet Skeele bought the house for $900 while her husband John S. Skeele was fighting in the Civil War. "Cap Skeele", as he was fondly called, enlisted in the 113th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 30, 1862. He rose from private in Company C to captain in Company I. John was one of the town’s most colorful Civil War veterans and well known in Worthington for his endless Civil War stories which ranged from the campaigns of Chicamauga, Chattanooga and Atlanta, to Sherman's March to the Sea. (Private residence)
Worthington Township Hall/Sharon Township Hall
67 East Dublin-Granville Rd.Image: Worthington Town Hall, c. 1890This is the oldest public building in Worthington and is the oldest surviving "Union School" in Ohio. It was built in 1856 with two schoolrooms on the ground floor for beginning and intermediate classes and space for growth on the second floor that was initially rented to the I.O.O.F. Lodge. In 1873, the building became the joint Worthington Town Hall and Sharon Township Hall -- serving Worthington Council until 1928 and the township for nearly a century. St. John’s Episcopal Church purchased the property in 1975 and renovated for church related programs. The building retains the character of the 1856 school with arched windows with six over six sashes, and arched entries at both ends leading to stairs which allow direct access to meetings on the second floor. The stone I.O.O.F. nameplate on the façade commemorates that organization’s long-term use of the second story, but disguises the importance the buildings many uses through Worthington’s public history. Open by arrangement with Church office
St. John's Episcopal Cemetery
700 High St.Images: (1) Cemetery; (2) Edith Griswold and Ann Bowers, c. 1900 with stables at the Township Hall visibleThe cemetery at the rear of St. John's Episcopal Church was in use more than 20 years before the church was erected. Today the weathered headstones often draw people who want to make gravestone rubbings and who want to reflect on the history of Worthington.The first burial was that of Abner Pinney, a Scioto Company member who died November 23, 1804, soon after arriving from Connecticut. From 1805-1824 this graveyard served not just the Episcopal Church but the whole community. Many members of the original families are buried here. There are 317 burials recorded on surviving tombstones and in George Griswold's sexton records for 1824-1843. The records include travelers who were temporarily in Worthington, and they confirm that early African-American residents of the community were buried here. The last burial was Charles E. Burr who died on August 7, 1882. A columbarium wall for cremated remains was built along the north and east boundaries in 1978. As you visit the cemetery, look for the headstones of early Worthington citizens, including James Kilbourn and several of his family members, Griswolds, Pinneys, and Cases.
St. John's Episcopal Church
700 High St.Images: (1) St. John's Episcopal Church; (2) 1888, during time when steeple was redesigned after being destroyed in a storm - it was later restored to the original look; (3) Interior, 1923In Feburary 1804 the congregation of the St. John's Episcopal Church was formed by members of the Episcopalian dominated Scioto Company. Early services were held in the log schoolhouse on the northeast quadrant of the Village Green. The village founders had reserved a double lot on the Village Green for a church building along with 100 acres of farmland for its support. In 1817 Rev. Philander Chase became St. John's first ordained priest to serve as minister. Chase had planned to build a college south of Worthington, but eventually started Kenyon College in Gambier, OH. instead. Serious conflicts with community leader James Kilbourn resulted in a short seven year tenure.St. John’s was completed in 1831 and is the oldest church in Worthington, as the Methodists’ 1823 building ant he Presbyterians 1831 buildings no longer survive. Arora Buttles, the only mason who knew how to lay Flemish bond, was most likely the brick mason for this project. The Gothic revival style of the original building has been retained though some additions and renovations have been made. The square brick tower has a colonial style belfry. In the 1990’s, a “connector” was built between the church and the parish hall.The church is open for services on Sunday and by arrangement with Church office.
The Masonic Lodge
634 High StreetImages: (1) The Masonic Lodge; (2) c. 1900 with stables and Gilbert House (torn down) visibile at 17 E New England; (3) Interior of the second floor, 1913This building is the oldest Masonic Temple in continuous use west of the Allegheny Mountains. New England Lodge #4 was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut in 1803. James Kilbourn was the first Master of this lodge. In 1820 Arora Buttles constructed the building and received 8 dollars for each 1000 bricks he laid. Worthington carpenter Chauncey Barker was named as the "architect" on the plaque in the cornerstone. The original Federal-style brick building is oriented to the main street with a gabled two bay entry. During the 2010s, the first floor of the 1820 building was converted to commercial space, however the second floor lodge retains its exceptionally fine cornice and Masonic symbols. An architecturally compatible building was added in the 1950’s, that has now been converted to condominiums with many new additions and renovation including commercial space on the first floor of the lodge.
Lewis House
36 West South St. Image: (1) 36 W South St/Lewis House, 1976; (2) Elias LewisThis house is of interest because it was built with no particular architectural distinction in the local vernacular style which was common in pioneer towns. The house has a long association with the Lewis family who contributed greatly to the Worthington community.Elias Lewis, the builder and original owner of the house, came to Worthington in 1806 at the age of 10 when his father took over the operation of the sawmill on the river. Elias went on to become a bricklayer and plasterer who specialized in chimneys. This house is one of the few residences that Elias is known to have built. The original portion, built ca. 1834, is unlike most early Worthington homes since it has a mortared brick foundation instead of fieldstone. The western addition to the house dates back to 1857 at the time of Lewis' second marriage to Eliza Paramore. Lewis served his community in many capacities – he was a lay preacher and trustee of the original Methodist congregation from 1820 – 1884, as was his son Worthington Columbus Lewis. He also served as village trustee and town fire warden for a time and drove a horse drawn omnibus from the Bishop House (Worthington Inn) to Columbus(Private residence)
Turk-Gilkey House
108 W. New England Ave.The original part of this house was built in the mid 1830’s as a rental property for the Wiley family. Each of the four rooms on the first floor had an exterior entrance, and interior end chimneys provided a fireplace in each of the original rooms. The Wiley and Lewis families were active members of the Worthington Methodist Episcopal Church – a force behind the Underground Railroad in the Worthington area in the years prior to the Civil War. The Wiley, Mason and Elias Lewis families (all interrelated by marriage) sold the house in 1856 to Henry and Dolly Turk, making them the first African-American family to own their own home in Worthington. Dolly Turk was a former slave in Virginia whose freedom had been purchased by her husband Henry in 1838. In 1920 the house was purchased by E. Howard Gilkey, editor of the Columbus Monitor and law librarian for the Ohio Supreme Court. Gilkey made significant changes to the house and replatted the 1½ acres as the Gilkey subdivision.(Private residence)
The Old Rectory/Worthington Historical Society
50 W. New England Ave.Images: (1) Old Rectory; (2) Rectory, late 1800's, on the Village Green to the right of St. John's Episcopal Church; (3) Rectory, 1948, when it was located at 799 Hartford St; (4) Moving the Rectory down High Street, 1978The Old Rectory, now the headquarters of the Worthington Historical Society, was completed in 1845 as a rectory for St. John's Episcopal Church. The Reverend R.S. Eliot and his family were the first of 15 rectors who lived in this residence for the next 80 years.The house was originally located beside the church on the southeast corner of the Village Green. In 1924 it was moved to 799 Hartford St. where it served as a rental property and later as administrative offices for Worthington Schools. In 1978, the Worthington Historical Society acquired this property, moved it to its present location, and renovated it for use as their admistrative office, and storage of archives and collections.The Old Rectory is classic Greek revival in style, with an addition on the north side. The interior walnut woodwork and the cherry siding show the quality of the native lumber and the desire of the local 19th century carpenters to make a beautiful home for their rector.Today the Old Rectory houses a Gift Shop and Doll Museum which are open Tuesday - Friday 1-4 and Saturday 10-2. The research facilities, including the library, are open by appointment.
Snow House
41 W. New England Ave.Images: (1) Snow House; (2) Parlor Interior c. 1900The Snow House was first built as a residence for Asa Gillet who operated a tannery in conjunction with the Worthington Manufacturing Company. The house was likely built by Arora Buttles. In May 1817 Gillet moved to a farm north of town and sold the home and business to James Kilbourn. Three months later Kilbourn sold it to John Snow for $1800. Notable features of the house are the center hall staircase of black walnut, unpeeled log joints in the basement and a back wing added during the Civil War.John Snow was a merchant from Providence, Rhode Island who came to Worthington in 1817 at the age of 37. His most important contribution to Worthington was his Masonic activity. Son George Snow was a physician in Worthington.The house was lived in by the Snow descendants until 1939. It then housed an antique store for several years, and was restored in 1985 as suites for the Worthington Inn. In the 2010s the home was converted to a single occupancy home with retail space on the first floor. The original 35’ x 20’ Snow home remains an excellent vernacular interpretation of the Federal style in Ohio.
