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A printable PDF of Clintonville Local Historical Markers - CLICK HERE
A printable PDF of Clintonville-Glenmont School - CLICK HERE
A printable PDF of Clintonville Area-The Early Years - CLICK HERE
A printable PDF of Clintonville A Historic Neighborhood - CLICK HERE
A printable PDF of CHS Newsletter 2020 - CLICK HERE
Other Historical Marker Database
Public history cast in metal, carved on stone, or embedded in resin in Ohio CLICK HERE.
FACT
Clintonville,being a neighborhood within Columbus, Ohio, isn't a designated area with its own official square mileage. Neighborhood boundaries aren't as rigidly defined as cities or counties.
350
DIFFERENT WALKING TRAILS
1,000
MAINTAINED
1132
FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL
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The Park of Roses
The Park of Roses in Columbus, Ohio has a history blooming with community effort. Here's a quick timeline:
1940s: The land was part of a horse farm and then used for victory gardens during World War II. In 1944, the city acquired it for park development.
Early 1950s: Ideas for a rose garden at city hall emerged, sparking a movement for a dedicated space.
1951: Local rose societies and city officials joined forces to create a committee for a municipal rose garden.
1952: City Council approved funding for the park's development.
June 1953: The Park of Roses officially opened to the public.
Later 1953: The American Rose Society even relocated its national headquarters near the park for a period, establishing test gardens for new rose varieties where the Heritage Rose Garden is today.
The park has continued to grow and evolve since then, becoming a cherished green space for Columbus residents and a popular tourist destination.
Whetstone Community Center
The Clintonville Whetstone Community Center's history is intertwined with the development of Whetstone Park itself.
Here's a quick timeline:
1940s: The land was first acquired by Columbus and used for Victory Gardens during World War II.
1949: The park was named "Whetstone" after the Olentangy River, a nod to the whetstones found there by European settlers.
1950s: Whetstone Park was officially dedicated, and the Columbus Rose Commission began planning the Park of Roses. The Clintonville Women's Club played a key role in acquiring land for the rose garden.
1956: The Whetstone Recreation Center, the building we know today, was constructed.
Since then, the Whetstone Community Center has become a central hub for the neighborhood, offering various programs and activities for all ages.
Clintonville Downtown Brief History
Clintonville's downtown area has a rich history intertwined with the growth of Clintonville itself. Here's a quick glimpse:
Early Beginnings (1800s): The land was originally part of Clinton Township, named after Vice President George Clinton. Clinton Chapel, built in 1823 (now a funeral home), served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The area remained largely farmland until the late 1800s.
Streetcar Suburb (Early 1900s): With the extension of streetcar lines from Columbus, Clintonville became a desirable spot for summer homes, particularly for professors from Ohio State University. This spurred residential development and the establishment of a business district in what's known as downtown Clintonville today.
Thriving Entertainment Hub (Early-Mid 1900s): For a period, Clintonville boasted some unique attractions like Columbus' first zoo (opened and closed in 1905) and the massive Olentangy Park amusement park (operating from 1880 to 1939). The park even had a large theater and a world-record-sized swimming pool at the time.