Clintonville Spotlight

Street names provide link to our past



Many of the streets in Clintonville are named for early families. Some of you have heard the story of Isaac Brevoort – Tom Bull’s son-in-law who unexpectedly drown crossing the Olentangy River.

You also may know the name Jacob Weisheimer. He came to Ohio in 1865 and bought the Whip Flour Mill. A few years after his arrival, he set about building a large home that still stands at the western edge of Weisheimer Road.

Perhaps you have heard of Gottlieb Schreyer? He was a well-known inventor, holding patents for street paving materials as well as home heating systems.

Did you know that Tom Bull wasn’t Clintonville’s only Revolutionary War veteran? Philo Webster lived in the Overbrook area. His family grew, eventually owning much of the land between the Northmoor and Beechwold neighborhoods.

In the early 1800s, brothers Chauncey and Rodney Cook(e) partnered with Dan Case to build a lumber mill on the Olentangy River. That mill allowed the early pioneer families to turn trees into lumber and lumber into cabins, schools and churches.

Charles Wetmore was Clinton Township’s first doctor. He traveled throughout Franklin County, treating patients and cataloging the mounds of the ancient natives.

John Bright, the namesake for Brighton Road, was a Civil War veteran and farmer turned real estate developer.

Weber Road was named for Frederick Weber, a German immigrant, who through hard work and ingenuity amassed more than 400 acres of land in Clinton Township. He planted apple trees, fattened hogs and distilled whiskey.

Titus Richards arrived in 1841, originating from Wales. He was a bricklayer with a brickyard in the Franklinton area. His seven children all stayed in Franklin County and prospered, owning land in Clinton Township.

Judge Orlando Aldrich was a collector of books and artifacts. His son, Edgar, was an electrician. Edgar and his wife Helen loved to travel and were passionate about photography. They were on hand when King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1922.

As a result, they were considered to have been cursed. Five years later, the couple died in an automobile accident in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.

Rand Hollenback, the son of chicken farmer and insurance man C.C Hollenback, was a printer. He started The Booster newspaper to promote local business. He is lovingly known as “The Mayor of Clintonville,” having worked with city administrators on many initiatives including the development of Whetstone Park.

Samuel Kinnear, born in Pennsylvania in 1800, was a Jack of all trades: Justice of the Peace, Postmaster, hotel proprietor, etc. More stories to come!

Mary Rodgers is president of the Clintonville Historical Society. The Clintonville Historical Society’s mission is to discover, collect and preserve the history of the Columbus community known as Clintonville. We fulfill our purpose by hosting a variety of events.

Please join us! To become a member, simply drop us a note containing your name and contact information. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 14315, Columbus, OH 43214.

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