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

Historic German Village

Circa 1868

Photographed by Mark Moxley-Knapp, January 24, 2025

1. Historic German Village Marker

Inscription. The earliest known owners of this home were John and Gertrude Vetter, who purchased it in 1868. The house was inherited several times, and often occupied by renters, many of whom were widows. It was owned for several decades by Elizabeth and Wilbur Kleinlein, who lived on Reinhard and owned “Kleinlein and Bennignus, Tinners and Roofers” on East Main. Their son Wilbur, a police officer, lived here briefly in the 1920s with his wife Clara, a telephone operator. For many years there were slaughterhouses behind the neighboring property, likely keeping rents affordable for tenants.

Erected by German Village Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 39° 56.793′ N, 82° 59.579′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in German Village. It is on Mohawk Street south of East Columbus Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 788 Mohawk

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St, Columbus OH 43206, 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: Circa 1870 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Historic German Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Circa 1864 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic German Village (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic German Village (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Historic German Village (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Historic German Village (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Circa 1870 (about 500

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 26, 2024

2. Historic German Village Marker

feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Also see . . . German Village Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Gretchen Klimoski, Ohio Historical Society; via National Archives) (Submitted on June 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 25, 2025, by Mark Moxley-Knapp of Columbus, Ohio. 2. submitted on June 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.