Worthington Historical Society

06/10/2026

100 Years Ago Today....June 10th, 1926

The Worthington News reported on the senior class gift in 1926. The article describes a new curtain for the stage at the high school (which is now the building). The paper states, "the old, unsightly, undependable and dangerous roll curtain has been removed. In its place .today hangs a heavy velour curtain, deep maroon in color and beautiful in the simplicity of its decoration. The curtain itself, hanging in heavy folds, opening from the center to the extreme width of the stage and operating on a concealed roller track, carries no decoration whatever. A valance of the same material, thirty inches deep and extending the full width of the arch bears, in the center, in the form of a crest, a golden wreath surrounding the letter “W”, on either side of which, within the wreath, appear the letters “H” and “S” respectively. To the left of the wreath the numerals “19” and to the right the numerals “26” stand as a permanent reminder of a Class that thought in terms of the entire community. It is a gift particularly appropriate, particularly needed and particularly appreciated. The Class is to be congratulated both upon its decision as to what the gift should be and upon the good taste displayed in their selection after the decision had been made."

The accompanying photograph shows this curtain and came from a local family's scrapbook.

To read the full issue of the June 10th, 1926 visit https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll97/id/512/rec/2

06/08/2026

This Wednesday!

Annual Meeting & Program
Minute Men, Green Mountain Boys & More: Worthington’s Revolutionary Legacy
Wednesday, June 10th, 7 - 8:30 pm
The Griswold Center, 777 High Street
Free & Open to the Public

Many Worthingtonians know that Scioto company members and town founders Abner Pinney, Israel Case, and William Thompson served in America's struggle for independence, but did you know that two Minute Men, a member of the Green Mountain Boys, and a New Hampshire soldier who fought at Bunker Hill are also here?

Ted Dziemianowicz has followed the bread crumbs left by Virginia McCormick and others to learn some of their stories.

A short business meeting will be held prior to the program.

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

Then & Now - 1976 to 2026

This home, located at 48 East South Street, was built in the typical "American Foursquare" style around 1905. The style was popular from the mid-1890s through the 1930s and is recognized by its square footprint, two-and-a-half-story height, a pyramidal roof and wide front porch.

The home was first occupied by John & Virginia Strohm. Mr. Strohm was a Civil War Veteran. Virginia Strohm lived in Worthington from 1868 to her death in 1933. At that time, daughter Belle kept the home for several years.

In 1933 the Keys family purchased the home and owned it for 50 years, evidently using it as a rental property. Renters included the Richard & Elizabeth Tangeman and family and the Frederic and Gertrude Kramer and family. Mr. Tangeman was a civil engineer, and Professor Kramer was employed by OSU as a German Professor for many years.

In the 1980s, the house changed hands numerous times and it was during this period that an addition was made on the east side of the original footprint.

06/05/2026

"Sheep Pastures to Progress" update: The flock has relocated to McCord Park! This land was once part of and expansive early Worthington farm that stretched from the railroad tracks all the way west to the Olentangy River.

The acreage that would become McCord Park was once owned by Rodney Comstock, who purchased it in 1822. Rodney was known locally as an excellent mechanic and craftsman, setting up a log‑cabin workshop where he made and painted Windsor chairs. A War of 1812 veteran, early Presbyterian Church member, and donor of church land, he became a respected community figure. By 1850, his farm had 3 horses, 2 milk cows, 71 cattle, resulting in the highest livestock valuation in the township. He owned the land until 1855.

After passing to William Lewis for a decade, the property was sold in 1865 to Archibald Foster. Foster’s 150 improved acres produced wheat, corn, oats, and wool, supported herds of cattle and swine, and continued the land’s agricultural legacy through the late 19th century.

In the early 20th century, the land was platted as North High Acres in 1923. After being annexed in 1957, the City of Worthington acquired the property, transforming generations of farmland into civic space.

The park is named for Harold McCord (1904–1977), a deeply influential figure in Worthington’s educational history. McCord served as Worthington Schools Superintendent for 35 years (1938–1973), guiding the district through extraordinary growth—from 500 students to more than 7,000. Before that, he was principal of Worthington High School and even taught driving classes.

06/03/2026

100 Years Ago Today....June 3rd, 1926

A blurb in the newspaper detailed a sign along East Granville road at the Ranall farm, located approximately at the northeast corner of Granville and Huntley Road today. Ranall was listed in the 1940 census as a farmer at a "truck garden." Popular in rural areas on the outskirts of bigger cities, truck gardens were small commercial farms that grew fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers sold directly to consumers, grocers or restaurants.

06/02/2026

Join the Society tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3rd at 10 am or 2:30 pm OR Sunday, June 7th at 2:00 pm for a tour of the Orange Johnson House. To reserve your space, visit worthingtonhistory.org

06/01/2026

Then & Now - 1976 to 2026

36 W South St., known locally as the Lewis House, is estimated to have first been built in 1834 by Elias Lewis, who was ten when he arrived in Worthington in 1806. His father, Jedediah, was the sawmill operator at the Worthington Manufacturing Company. Elias soon learned bricklaying and plastering skills, and specialized in building chimneys.

Around the time of his second marriage in 1857, Elias constructed a western addition to the original structure. (First wife Martha Wiley died in 1852, and Elias married Eliza Paramore five years later.) He operated a horse-drawn omnibus from Worthington to Columbus starting in 1853. He even named his youngest son Worthington Columbus “Worthy” Lewis. Worthy managed a department store (where the old Worthington Hardware store was), which had twelve employees and occupied two floors. He and his father, Elias, were trustees of the local Methodist church for a continuous 120 years.

Originally, this home consisted of a top and bottom floor with no internal staircase. When looking directly at the structure from South St., the original portion of the home is to the east (right), and the addition is to the west (left).

In 1976, for the U.S. Bicentennial celebration, a series of photographs were taken around Worthington, including businesses and residences. Throughout 2026, this series will take a look at what has changed and what has stayed the same, as we celebrate America 250!

05/29/2026

Worthington has been celebrating the Fourth of July in style for generations — and we want to showcase YOUR memories!

Share your Fourth photos from past years to help create an America 250 in Worthington display for July 4 at the McConnell Arts Center.

Send submissions to [email protected].