Columbus Landmarks identifies most endangered historic buildings in Columbus
A church, a hospital, a school, a restaurant and a grocery store — some dating from the 1800s — are this year's most endangered historic properties in central Ohio, according to Columbus Landmarks .
The list, which the preservation group releases annually , includes a wide mix of building uses, vintages and sizes.
"This year's list embodies places of faith, work, education, and leisure — recognized not only for their architectural legacies but also holding important historical significance for our many diverse communities as landmarks to their identities," said Landmarks CEO Rebecca F. Kemper.
The lineup:
Ohio State Hospital East, 181 Taylor Ave.
Built in 1971, the 16-story tower "exhibits recognizable elements of Modern Design," according to Landmarks, including vertical bays of plate glass windows, dark porcelain steel panels and a base clad in rusticated stone. The tower was designed by notable African American architect Leon Ransom, Jr. and is featured in the book, "African American Architects."
Landmarks says it fears the tower could be demolished. Ohio State backed off another plan to demolish the adjacent Henderson House, a home that sits at Taylor Avenue and Atcheson Street . The century-old house was owned by a prominent and affluent Black lawyer, Leonard Henderson, who had a Downtown law practice at Rich and South High streets.
Mifflin #5 School House, 3680 Westerville Road
The school, built around 1920, is "an example of early schoolhouses that are quickly disappearing from our communities," wrote Landmarks. "The diminutive brick structure features a tall distinctive central tower with exposed rafter tails at the roof overhang."
Landmarks noted that a proposal to replace the building with multifamily housing and parking lots has been approved by the city's Development Commission.
Spaghetti Warehouse, 397 W. Broad St.
The former Spaghetti Warehouse restaurant in Franklinton was originally an 1880's ice storage warehouse, known as the Crystal Ice Manufacturing & Cold Storage Co. "A solid masonry structure, built to accommodate heavy loads, it also has decorative features such as recessed window openings and a brick corbelled cornice," noted Landmarks.
The restaurant moved to South High Street Downtown after some of the building's roof collapsed in 2022. The building remains vacant, though a plan to develop the site has been proposed .
The Sugar Shack, 1551 N. 4th St.
Built in the 1920s, the "Sugar Shack" is an example of the buildings found in many urban neighborhoods during the era, with businesses on the first floor and apartments above. In the 1920's the building was known as the Chapman Building and housed a grocery store, according to Landmarks. In the 1960's it served as the Sugar Shack, a popular live music venue.
The building has been vacant, and the site has been discussed for possible development.
Holy Rosary & St. John Catholic Church, 640-660 S. Ohio Ave.
The Holy Rosary & St. John Catholic Church was designed by the Columbus architecture firm David Reibel & Sons, which designed more than 40 school buildings. Built in 1898, the church is "designed in the High Gothic style with distinctive high towers, rich masonry detailing, and large stained-glass windows which were donated by the parishioners and bear their names," according to Landmarks.
The property, which the diocese plans to close for services , also includes a Rectory built in 1899, a Parish School built in 1905, and a Convent built in 1950.
jweiker@dispatch.com
@JimWeiker
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: See the most endangered historic buildings in Columbus
