Columbus 2014

Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the state of Ohio. It is the 15th largest city in the United States of America with a population of 822,553 (2013 estimate). It is the core city of the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which encompasses a ten county area. Under the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) model, it is the third largest metropolitan area in Ohio, virtually tied with the Cleveland MSA and only slightly behind the Cincinnati MSA (which includes portions of Kentucky and Indiana). Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816.

I spent a weekend in the great city of Columbus, and found it to be very historic. For one, I had no idea that Columbus, Ohio was the site of the very first Wendy’s restaurant(rest in peace…Dave Thomas). I found more historic sites along my journey into Columbus. Day one sites I visited were: Franklin University, Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin County Memorial Hall, Benjamin Smith House, Underground Railroad locations, Key Bank Building, The Dispatch Building(home of Ohio’s newspaper), Ohio Theatre, The State Capitol Building and Capitol Square, which featured the Christopher Columbus Discovery Monument, Spirit Of ’98 war statue, William McKinley(25th President) Monument and others. Also in Capitol Square was the groundbreaking of the new Holocaust Memorial.

Day two sightseeing was cut short by thunderstorms, but found me spending the majority of time at the famous Ohio Stadium, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. Outside the stadium was a great monument dedicated to track star Jesse Owens, who won gold in the 1936 Olympics. But before the thunderstorm came, I got a great capture of the Lane Avenue Bridge over the Olentangy River with the thunder clouds.

Day three found me at the Ohio Supreme Court Building, where I went crazy over the gavel sculpture in the pool out front. What a great idea for a supreme court sculpture! From there I visited the Center Of Science and Industry, better know as COSI(Ko-sy), where I found great outdoor art on display. Across the street was the Franklin County Veterans Memorial Building, which features an 8-foot tall bronze statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger, which commemorates his 1970 “Mr. World” title at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. I then photographed the Columbus Palace Theatre and the LeVeque Tower in all its grandeur. I got nice skyline shots from the Rich Street Bridge over the Scioto River while on my way to the Scioto Mile Fountain in Bicentennial Park. Other stops included Discovery Park, where I saw a very interesting sculpture honoring Ohio’s public educators, St. Joseph Cathedral, the Columbus Athenaeum and the Vern Riffe State Office Tower. I finished my day eating at the Nationwide Building. I have been to Columbus, Ohio six times in eight years to cover the Rock On The Range concerts, but this was the first time I got the opportunity to get out into the city to explore it. I must say that Columbus is indeed a city that will always be on my radar, because there’s so much to see and the people are soooo friendly!