Sorry I’m not sorry about that bad pun. I’ve been experimenting with the Main Library at 96 S. Grant Ave. recently. Having always struggled with traditional research and the weight of printed text, I find myself returning for the novelty alone. Everything I knew about this place in the late 90’s and early 2000’s has been shoved back into extra-quiet corners, untouched by the savvy gadgetry we can’t seem to live without.
Books like this can be found on the third floor and they are terribly funny to browse through. Look, it’s the Ohio Historical Society in the background! I’ve always likened that initial descent into the building to a sexy 1970’s vampire lair, so after a little research it’s no surprise to find out the architectural style is called “Brutalism”.
They live! Sad little card catalogs in the back. Can you believe we ever used these?
Found this picture in an old guide to Columbus. Can I get a moment of silence for the amazing bygone sign, followed by a whomp-whomp for the strange decline of the Round Bar? :(
I recommend paging through old Columbus City Directories! It’s super-neat to see the names of people who lived in your humble abode over 100 years ago and marvel at the advertisements throughout. The ad pictured above is from the turn of the century.
Way way waaaaaaay in the back, you’ll find Franklin County maps that contain information about the Columbus area’s past landscape…like, there used to be a “Friend St.” in between Mound and Rich, and hell-lo Idiotic Asylum (know anyone who’d fit right in?). Thankfully, naming such institutions is more of a tasteful matter these days.
Now go explore for yourself!
