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

J.R. William's Bakery

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

1. J.R. William's Bakery Marker

Inscription. This building was the site of the first soda fountain in Westerville. Local businessman J.R. Williams began a bakery and confectionary here in 1887, and it quickly became a hangout for Otterbein students and a favored spot for locals hungry for one of William's Ice Cream Company's treats.

J.R. Williams installed an electric sign outside his business and mechanical refrigeration inside. For over 80 years the Williams family operated a business in the Uptown outgrowing this location in 1927 and moving to North State Street at which time it became a restaurant.

The building has housed both barber and beauty shops, the Westerville city offices, a Chinese laundry, and the law offices of Charles Westervelt who was a descendant of the founding family of Westerville.

Erected by Uptown Westerville Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 40° 7.557′ N, 82° 55.928′ W. Marker is in Westerville, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is on West College Avenue west of North State Street (Ohio Route 3), on the right when

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traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 W College Ave, Westerville OH 43081, 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 are within walking distance of this marker: 11 West College Avenue (a few steps from this marker); Markley Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Westerville (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank / W.C. Bale Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker); State Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Robinson Block (within shouting distance of this marker); D.H. Budd Buggies (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bank of Westerville / The University Bookstore

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

2. J.R. William's Bakery Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westerville.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.