Downtown in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Offices
630 East Broad Street
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 26, 2024
1. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Offices Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 39° 57.863′ N, 82° 59.03′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of East Broad Street (U.S. 62) and Lester Drive, on the right when traveling west on East Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 630 E Broad 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: A different marker also named Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Offices (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Donn Vickers Gazebo in Thurber Park (about 400 feet away); James Thurber (about 700 feet away); St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); King Lincoln District Arch (approx. 0.2 miles away); Long Street Bridge and Cultural Wall (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Bellows / Roy Lichtenstein
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Donn Vickers Gazebo in Thurber Park (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Regarding Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Offices. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
620 and 630 East Broad Street are significant as the offices of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the seed organization whose insurance branch later became Nationwide Insurance, an important company representing Columbus' early 20th century commercial/economic development and reflecting the commercial development phase of fashionable turn-of-the-century residential East Broad Street.
The Ohio Farm Bureau leased office space in other existing buildings from its founding In 1919 until they purchased 620 East Broad Street in 1927. In response to their growth, they added the commercial addition to the rear of 620 East Broad Street in 1928. This addition Is significant as the first structure built for use by the Ohio Farm Bureau. They acquired 630 East Broad Street in 1929. This pairof buildings remained the offices of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation until 1936.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 26, 20242. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Offices Marker
The status of the original owners of 620 and 630 East Broad Street was typical of the prominent residents along East Broad Street in the late 19th century. They were Benjamin N. Huntington (620) and Andrew Denny Rodgers I (630).
Andrew Denny Rodgers I was an attorney, treasurer of Citizens Saving Bank, and postmaster (1877-1881) in addition to his renowned involvement with the Columbus street railways. He built the Long Street Railway and was founder and president of the horse-drawn Columbus Consolidated Street Railway Co. from 1872 to 1892. The Rodgers family resided at 630 East Broad Street for 48 years (1872-1920).
Also see . . . Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Offices (PDF). National Register nomination for the site, which was listed in 1987. (Prepared by Kathy Mast Kane; via National Archives) (Submitted on June 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 26, 2024
3. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Offices
The federation occupied both buildings.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
