Short North Arts District in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Tod Barracks, 1863
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008
1. Tod Barracks, 1863 Marker, Side One
One of five Civil War military posts in Columbus, Tod Barracks, named in honor of Governor David Tod, was built in 1863 as the headquarters for military administration in central Ohio. Necessitated by Lincoln’s call for 300,000 new troops, the post was constructed in two months with United States Engineer, Captain John Tod, as supervisor. Carpenters of the 88th Ohio Volunteer Infantry from Camp Chase, three miles west, built it. Tod Barracks served as a recruiting depot, a rendezvous point for new recruits, and place where soldiers mustered-out after the war. Located adjacent to Columbus’ Union Station, the post also served as a transfer point for soldiers and officers traveling through Ohio.
Tod Barracks’ main administration building faced High Street; an arched entrance opened to a parade ground flanked by six barracks that quartered up to 5,000 enlisted soldiers. In addition, there was a guardhouse, two mess halls, small hospital, sutler’s store, and officers’ quarters and offices. The installation occupied almost nine acres and was surrounded by a twelve-foot high board fence. During the war, adjacent Goodale
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Erected 2003 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, the Hadler and Peppe Families, the Greater Columbus Convention Center, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 83-25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 39° 58.423′ N, 83° 0.156′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the Short North Arts District. Marker is at the intersection of North High Street and Goodale Street, on the right when traveling north on North High Street. Marker is in a small park at the edge of the convention center, across from the Union Station shops. It is difficult to see from High Street when heading north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus OH 43215, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008
2. Tod Barracks, 1863 Marker, Side Two
Regarding Tod Barracks, 1863. The Convention Center now sits on land that was once Tod Barracks and the original Union Station and parts of its rail yard. Compare the street grid in the map reproduced in Photo No. 4 with the marker's current map.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008
3. Tod Barracks, 1863 Marker
Marker is centered below and behind the Convention Center sign. The preserved facade of the last Union Station, on both sides of High Street straddling Interstate 670 below it, is to the left. High Street is in the foreground.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008
4. Tod Barracks, 1863 Marker
View is towards intersection of High and Goodale Streets. The preserved facade of the last Union Station, now shops, is in the distance.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,224 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 2, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
