River South District in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ohio State Arsenal
Heritage Tour
Built at 139 W. Main St., about 1861. The two story 60 x 100 feet structure is the oldest building in Ohio still used for its original military purpose. Ornate shield, eagle and scrollwork gracing the outworks once decorated the U.S. Battleship "Ohio" and have been on loan to Ohio since 1923.
Erected by Kiwanis International.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Military • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 39° 57.336′ N, 83° 0.201′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the River South District. It is on West Main Street (U.S. 62) east of Jewett Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 139 W Main 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: Battleship U.S.S. Ohio (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbus Feeder Canal / The Ohio-Erie Canal (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Main Street Bridge (about 500 feet away); Julian & Kokenge Company (about 700 feet away); Riversouth Bioretention Basins (about
this page online
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 29, 2026
2. Ohio State Arsenal Building
Today, the building serves as the City of Columbus' Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
