National Register of Historic Places

High and Gay Streets Historic District

Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
Listed
March 4, 2014
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
14000041

About this property

The High and Gay Streets Historic District is a historic district in Downtown Columbus, Ohio. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. The district includes 18 buildings, including three that are non-contributing, and one contributing building that has since been demolished. The buildings span three of four blocks surrounding the intersection of High and Gay Streets; the northwest block was predominantly used for parking at the time, with only one building, the Rankin Building (separately listed on the NRHP), on that block. Its boundaries are Wall St. on the west, Elm Aly. on the north, Lynn St. on the east, and Pearl St. on the south. The 15 contributing buildings range from two to ten stories in height. Their architecture styles include Italianate, Classical Revival, early 20th century commercial, mid-century modern, vernacular, and Art Moderne. The buildings are considered eligible for their quality of design and representation of noted Columbus architects. In addition, their association with the 19th and 20th century development of the city's High Street business corridor adds to the district's qualification. A block east reaching to Third Street was determined eligible for the National Register in 1990, as the East Gay Street Commercial Historic District. Several of the High and Gay contributing buildings were a part of the earlier nomination as well. The 1990 nomination failed due to opposition from property owners. Several were approached again for the High and Gay listing, but again did not support listing. The row of buildings at 72-84 North High are in the process of renovation, and were awarded historic preservation tax credits. The buildings were listed on Columbus Landmarks' 2019 List of Endangered Properties as the tax credits expired and the buildings continue to deteriorate.

Location

Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
39.97399, -82.26327

Categories

COMMERCEARCHITECTURE
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Flint Ridge State Memorial
Industrial
1 mi
Old Peace Lutheran Church
Industrial
6 mi
Tavener-Sears Tavern
Early Republic
6.1 mi
Glenford Bank
Industrial
6.6 mi
Parks Covered Bridge
Industrial
8.5 mi

Nearby Battles

Morgan's Raid — Newark Approach
1863Civil War
9.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was High and Gay Streets Historic District listed on the National Register?

High and Gay Streets Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 4, 2014.

What type of historic resource is High and Gay Streets Historic District?

High and Gay Streets Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for High and Gay Streets Historic District?

The period of significance for High and Gay Streets Historic District is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near High and Gay Streets Historic District?

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