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

James Thurber

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 16, 2008

1. James Thurber Marker

Inscription. One of the outstanding American humorists of the twentieth century, James Thurber was born and educated in Columbus. He launched his writing career as a reporter for The Columbus Dispatch in 1920. In 1927 he began writing for The New Yorker, where the first of his distinctively spare cartoons appeared in 1930. Thurber's concise, witty prose spanned a remarkable breadth of genres, including autobiography, fiction, children's fantasy, and modern commentary. Two of his short stories, “The Catbird Seat” and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” are among the best-known classics of American literature. Though hampered by failing eyesight, Thurber published almost thirty books in his lifetime. He and his family lived at 77 Jefferson Avenue from 1913 to 1917; the house, listed as part of the Jefferson Avenue Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places, became a literary center and museum in 1984. Thurber is buried in Columbus' Green Lawn Cemetery.

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 78-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications

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• Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 39° 57.964′ N, 82° 59.104′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the Discovery District. Marker is on Jefferson Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 91 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus OH 43215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Donn Vickers Gazebo in Thurber Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away); King Lincoln District Arch (about 300 feet away); Elijah Pierce (about 700 feet away); Wesley Chapel Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Home Site of Henry Howe — Historian (approx. ¼ mile away); The Lincoln Theatre (approx. ¼ mile away); Washington Gladden (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Also see . . . The Unicorn in the Garden by James Thurber. (Submitted on December 22, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

James Thurber House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 16, 2008

2. James Thurber House and Marker

77 Jefferson Avenue is the second house, at left center of photo behind tree and autos.

James Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 16, 2008

3. James Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Avenue

The Unicorn in the Garden Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 16, 2008

4. The Unicorn in the Garden Marker

In Thurber Park, across street from Thurber House. Thurber's short, short story of 530 words, with a light dusting of snow covering the marker.

The Unicorn in the Garden in Thurber Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 16, 2008

5. The Unicorn in the Garden in Thurber Park

Thurber House in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,341 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 17, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.