German Village Timeline

1814-1865: The Immigration Years 

Todays German Village has its roots in an 1814 addition just south of the original boundaries of Columbus, which became Ohio’s Capital in 1812. A small number of Germans had been in Columbus since its founding. Many were skilled craftsmen who helped build the first Statehouse.

After 1830, Germans began to arrive in Columbus in far greater numbers, fleeing wars, famine, persecution, and lack of opportunity in the Old World. On the Atlantic Crossing, the immigrants endured inadequate food, contaminated water, outbreaks of disease and the fear of shipwreck. On land, they were victimized by thieves and swindlers. When they reached Columbus, they were at first met with hostility, particularly from nativists groups like the “Know-Nothings”; but that hostility subsided after many Columbus Germans served in the union army during the Civil War.

Rhine River Region 
Many of Columbus’ German immigrants came from small towns and villages in the southern areas of Germany, close to the Rhine River, including the Palatinate and Baden-Wurttemburg.
Unimaginable Conditions 
During the Atlantic crossing, which took at least six weeks, most immigrants could afford passage only in the appallingly overcrowded steerage section, in the ships’ hold.
The Long Journey 
To reach Columbus, German immigrants typically traveled by steamer down the Rhine River, sailing ship across the ocean, river boat up the Hudson, and canal boat across New York and Ohio.
The Ohio Canal 
The Feeder Canal, connecting Columbus to the Ohio Canal in 1831, made it possible for immigrants to arrive here in great numbers. In 1833, the National Road was extended to Columbus and some immigrants chose that overland route instead.

1865-1914: The Immigration Years Continued…

By 1865, Columbus’ overall population was one-third German, and South Columbus had become a successful working-class community. The new arrivals built homes and churches and established schools that were considered so superior that many English-speaking residents chose to attend them. Local German businesses, organizations, and newspapers thrived. German influence in Columbus reached its highest point during these years, establishing a number of organizations and traditions that still exist today.

Freedom to Worship
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, completed in 1868, was one of several German churches–Protestant and Catholic–erected during this time. A small group of German Jews arrived in Columbus around 1840 and later established a synagogue under Rabbi Simon Lazarus, who started the clothing store that still bears his name.

Community Organizations Thrive
Columbus Germans formed many social, athletic, fraternal, and cultural organizations, including a number of singing societies, which hosted the first Columbus Saengerfest (singing festival) in 1852. One of those singing societies, which hosted–the Columbus Maennerchor, formed in 1848–is still active today.

The Parks Early Years
In 1867, the city of Columbus purchased a 23-acre section of Stewart’s Grove, a large tract of land south of town that had become a popular spot, and renamed it City Park. When Germany was united into a single nation in 1871, proud local German -Americans planted a peace oak in the park in a lavish ceremony.

Elected To Lead
Among many German-Americans prominent in the Columbus community was George J. Karb, born in Columbus of German immigrant parents, Mayor Karb served two terms, from 1891 to 1895, and 1911 to 1919.

1914-1920: An Era of Tensions and Decline

Though the “South End” retained its German character through the turn of the century, younger generations of assimilated German-Americans gradually began to move away. When World War I started in 1914, anti-German prejudice reappeared, even though most local German-Americans supported the Allied cause. After the United States entered the war in 1917, the hostility against them increased. German street names were changed, and Schiller Park became Washington Park (it reverted to Schiller in 1932). The teaching of German in schools was banned, and German textbooks were destroyed.

In 1919, continued anti-German sentiment played a part in the passage of Volstead Act, outlawing the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The closing of the local breweries contributed to the decline of the South Columbus community.

Anti-German Sentiment 
Even though many German war atrocity stories were exaggerated, their reporting in local newspapers fueled anti-German hysteria in Columbus, especially after the United States entered the war.

The Horrors Of Hate 
In 1918, German books were collected and publicly burned on Broad Street and at the foot of the Schiller Statue.

An Informed Community 
First published in 1843, Der Westbote was the most influential of Columbus’ German-language newspapers. While preserving traditional German culture, the newspaper also kept Germans informed about their American community and encouraged their involvement.

German-American Hero 
Most local German-Americans served in the American armed forces in World War I. Among their number was Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, America’s leading air ace, who was born on Pearl Alley in 1890.

1920-1960: A Generation Of Urban Decline

In 1923, the South End was zoned for manufacturing and commercial use, dooming its residential character. The Great Depression of the 1930’s took its toll, and in World War II, streetcar tracks and wrought-iron fences were removed for scrap metal for the war effort. Though a few old families hung on, the area was considered an undesirable place to live.

During the 1950’s, the severely blighted northern third of the district was bulldozed under the Federal Urban Renewal Program. It seemed only a matter of time before the demolition would be complete.

During this sad time, however, one small act took place that would eventually turn the South End’s decline around. In 1949, a man named Frank Fetch bought a house in the area, certain against all odds that the old German community could once again be a viable neighborhood.

Results Of The Crash 
The economic disaster of the Great Depression of the 1930’s contributed to the decline of the South End.

A Neglected Neighborhood 
During this time, South End families continued their exodus from the area. Many dwellings came to be owned by absentee landlords, who increasingly allowed their properties to fall into neglect.

Recognizing The Significance 
Convinced that the sturdy little brick cottages were worth saving, Frank Fetch purchased this house on Wall Street in 1959. It was the first step in a long, slow process that would eventually lead to the rebirth of the South End.

1960-1990: A Nationally-Recognized Success Story

Beginning in 1960, with the formation of the German Village Society, Frank Fetch led the way through the labyrinth of government and established the area as a protected historic preservation district. In 1963, the Columbus City Council gave the German Village Commission design review authority over exterior changes to structures within the district. In 1975, German Village was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Purchases and restorations of buildings in German Village increased yearly, and by the 1980’s German Village was gaining national recognition as a leading historic preservation district. Property values were increasing, and German Village was becoming one of the most desirable places to live in Central Ohio.

The Last Sunday In June 
The first annual Haus und Garten Tour in June of 1960, attracted media attention and lured hundreds of visitors to the neighborhood to see eight restored homes and two gardens. It was a modest beginning for what has become one of Columbus’ most popular annual events.

Sound Preservation Policies 
The challenge of preserving the architectural heritage of German Village is the principal concern of the German Village Society. Over the years, this tenacious, imaginative, and dedicated membership organization has been instrumental in retaining the character and distinction of the past while creating a thriving 20th Century community.

Architectural Guidelines 
The German Village Commission, appointed by the Mayor of Columbus, is the legal entity which evaluates all proposed construction, reconstruction, or alteration of the exterior of a Village structure and determines whether the changes are appropriate to the historic integrity of the Village.

German Village Oktoberfest 
“The Best Party In Town” is held the first weekend after Labor Day. This spirited, authentic German festival raises significant funds to support the programs of the German Village Society.