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

Otterbein College

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008

1. Otterbein College Marker

Inscription.
This historic college opened in1847 as Oterbein University of Ohio, named for Philip William Otterbein (1726–1813), a founder of the Church of the Brethren in Christ. The church later merged with the Evangelical Church to become the United Methodist Church. Otterbein was one of the first colleges in the United States to open its doors to persons of color and women without restrictions on what they could study. While Otterbein’s educational offering have evolved over the years to meet society’s needs, the college has remained committed to the liberal arts as the foundation of all learning.

Erected 2003 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, the International Paper Company, The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 66-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.

Location. 40° 7.563′ N, 82° 56.186′ W. Marker is in Westerville, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is on West Main Street west of Grove Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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

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marker: Towers Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); United Brethren Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Home of Benjamin R. Hanby (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil War (about 300 feet away); Old Westerville Society (about 300 feet away); William Hanby, Freedom Crusader (about 300 feet away); Hanby House (about 400 feet away); Darling Nelly Gray (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westerville.

Also see . . . History of Otterbein University. University website homepage:
“Otterbein was among the first coeducational colleges in America, and probably the first college in the United States to be founded as coeducational and to admit women to the same programs of study as male students. Its first two graduates were females. From its opening, Otterbein employed female faculty members, and it was probably the first college to do so. Otterbein was also one of the first three colleges in the United States to be open to students of color, and College historians have argued that it deserves to be considered the first to be founded with that philosophy.” (Submitted on July 13, 2008.)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008

2. Otterbein College Marker

Otterbein College Towers Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008

3. Otterbein College Towers Hall

At the foot of College Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,367 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.