Highway Construction Changes Neighborhood

The construction of the highway system created two major boundaries and nearly destroyed the community. The highways made it easy for Olde Towne East residents to move further east into Columbus’ new suburbs.

In the age of the suburb, no one wanted a mansion with ten foot ceilings. Some were abandoned. Some were turned into nursing homes, churches or apartments. Home owners were disappearing.

With the population shift, businesses that once served the community also suffered and move away as well creating empty buildings.