Old Worthington in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
James Kilbourne
⎯⎯⎯
Worthington Hotel
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008
1. James Kilbourne Marker
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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in the Scioto Valley and in the Columbus Metropolitan Area. 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
this page online
Also see . . .
1. James Kilbourne. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 14, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Kilbourne Commercial Building. Worthington Memory website entry (Submitted on November 15, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
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
via Amazon, unknown
2. James Kilbourne
— Submitted October 20, 2008.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008
3. Worthington Hotel Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008
4. Worthington Hotel and Markers
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008
5. Worthington Heritage Site Marker
These markers are attached to historic buildings in Worthington.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008
6. 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 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,724 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 19, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on November 15, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
