Downtown in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Columbus Civic Center Historic District

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 31, 2017

1. Columbus Civic Center Historic District Marker

Inscription. The historic district extends from the former Main Street Bridge to Long Street and encompasses the public buildings on either side of the Scioto River. The 580 foot long low-head concrete arch Main Street Dam was constructed in 1918 in response to the catastrophic 1913 flood. The dam helped reshape the Downtown Columbus Scioto River basin into a reflecting pool for the monumental riverfront buildings of the Civic Center, which were influenced by the City Beautiful movement of the 1890s and early 1900s. Nearly a century after its construction, however, the dam had contributed to an unhealthy environment for aquatic life and was removed in late 2013 as part of the Scioto Greenways river restoration project.

Erected 2014 by Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 120-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.

Location. 39° 57.359′ N, 83° 0.483′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Downtown.

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It is at the intersection of West Main Street (Ohio Route 3) and West Rich Street (U.S. 62), on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. marker is on the “River Walk’ of the “Scioto Mile”, West Bank Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 W Main St, Columbus OH 43215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Scioto Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Main Street Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Main Street Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Main Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Columbus Feeder Canal / The Ohio-Erie Canal (approx. 0.2 miles away); Science Spectrum (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roy L. Shafer 1951 - 2005 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Town Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Town Street Bridge 1921 - 2009 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 31, 2017

2. Columbus Civic Center Historic District Marker

full view of marker, with Scioto River in background

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 31, 2017

3. Columbus Civic Center Historic District Marker

marker can be seen at a distance; from the Upper River Walk, along West Rich Street

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 31, 2017

4. Columbus Civic Center Historic District Marker

marker framed by the new Main Street Bridge. This is an inclined arch suspension bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 31, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.