Old Worthington in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

James Kilbourne / Worthington Hotel

James Kilbourne Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008

1. James Kilbourne Marker

Inscription. James Kilbourne
1770 - 1850

Founder of Worthington, 1803
Surveyor, Deacon, Innkeeper,
Publisher, Mayor, Legislator,
Militiaman, Manufacturer,
Educator and Explorer.
Married Lucy Fitch, then
Cynthia Goodale Barnes.
Fathered twelve children.

“Admired by all...with a
genial smile and a courtly
bow for everyone he met.”

Worthington Hotel
Sign of the Sun
Public Entertainment
“To friends both old and new, accommodations are tendered as good as the best; should anyone doubt this, he is respectfully requested to come and see.”
James Kilbourne, Proprietor
Dec 1, 1845

Erected by Worthington Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1862.

Location. 40° 5.268′ N, 83° 1.096′ W. Marker is in Worthington, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Old Worthington. Marker is on High Street, on the right when traveling south. Markers are just south of the village green SW quadrant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 679 High Street, Columbus OH 43085, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Worthington Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint John's Church of Worthington and Parts Adjacent / Church and Graveyard (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Worthington Masonic Museum (about 500 feet away); The Bicentennial Oak (about 600 feet away); Eclectic Medical College (about 600 feet away); The Founding of Worthington / Worthington, A Planned Community (about 700 feet away); Orange Johnson House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Worthington.

Also see . . . More information on James Kilbourne. (Submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. Kilbourne Commercial Building
The 1808 Kilbourne Commercial Building is located at 679-681 High Street, Worthington, Ohio. Constructed ca. 1808 south of James Kilbourne's 1804 brick home, it is believed to be the oldest commercial building in Ohio in continuous commercial use. The building housed Kilbourne's survey office, offices of the Western Intelligencer newspaper. Rooms on the second floor served as the Worthington Hotel.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008

2. Worthington Hotel Marker
— Submitted October 20, 2008.

Worthington Hotel and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008

3. Worthington Hotel and Markers

Worthington Heritage Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008

4. Worthington Heritage Site Marker

These markers are attached to historic buildings in Worthington.

The Worthington Inn image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008

5. The Worthington Inn

Another historic inn, established 1831. Located a half block south of the former Worthington Hotel, at High Street and New England Avenue. It's history can be read at: http://www.worthingtoninn.com/history.html

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,205 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.