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The Roaring Twenties in Columbus come to Life through Historical Photos Capturing the decade’s Vibrancy

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The 1920s, or the “Roaring Twenties,” brought a wave of growth and change to Columbus, Ohio, echoing the era’s national spirit of optimism and dynamism. This decade saw Columbus riding high on economic prosperity, cultural revolutions, and leaps in technology. It was a time when the city’s landscape transformed, mirroring the rise of consumer culture, the complexities of prohibition, and early strides in the civil rights movement.

Economically, Columbus was booming. The city’s manufacturing sector, retail expansions, and the birth of new industries propelled it into an era of unprecedented growth. Its strategic location became even more crucial, serving as a nexus for commerce and industry.

Technological Innovations and Infrastructure Improvements

Technological advances were game-changers for Columbus in the 1920s. The automobile revolution expanded the city’s roads and boosted mobility, while new bridges over the Scioto River stitched the city closer together. Enhancements in utilities and public services, like broader electric lighting and improved water and sewage systems, significantly uplifted Columbus’s living standards.

Cultural Flourishing and Social Change

Culturally, the city was abuzz. The arts, entertainment, and media flourished, with the Ohio Theatre opening in 1928 as a beacon for performing arts. Jazz music, echoing the Harlem Renaissance, jazzed up Columbus’s cultural vibe. This era also saw important social movements gaining momentum, including pushes for women’s rights and racial equality, showcasing the city’s evolving social fabric.

The Impact of Prohibition

Prohibition, kicking off in 1920, left its mark on Columbus, stirring up speakeasies, illicit liquor trades, and sparking debates over morality and governance. This period of legal temperance challenged the city’s law enforcement and reshaped social habits, leaving a lasting imprint on Columbus’s social and political scenes.

#1 Soldiers at the 11th Company headquarters at Fort Hayes barracks in Columbus, Ohio, 1921

Soldiers at the 11th Company headquarters at Fort Hayes barracks in Columbus, Ohio, 1921

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#2 Aerial view of Ohio State University campus, looking east over the Oval, May 1, 1920.

Aerial view of Ohio State University campus, looking east over the Oval, May 1, 1920.

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#3 AIU Citadel under construction on Broad Street, 1926.

AIU Citadel under construction on Broad Street, 1926.

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#4 Beck Street Elementary, constructed in 1884, remodeled in 1925 and 1953, now Columbus Gifted Academy, 1922.

Beck Street Elementary, constructed in 1884, remodeled in 1925 and 1953, now Columbus Gifted Academy, 1922.

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#7 Interior of F. & R. Lazarus Company’s 4th floor Gift Shop, 1920s

Interior of F. & R. Lazarus Company's 4th floor Gift Shop, 1920s

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#9 The 11th Company baseball team at Columbus Barracks, 1920s

The 11th Company baseball team at Columbus Barracks, 1920s

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#10 66 West Beechwold Boulevard, home of William and Lola Stephens in the early 1920s

66 West Beechwold Boulevard, home of William and Lola Stephens in the early 1920s

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#11 Aerial view of Broad and High Streets with the under-construction LeVeque Tower, 1925.

Aerial view of Broad and High Streets with the under-construction LeVeque Tower, 1925.

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#12 Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity at OSU, with William Clare Barnett, 1926.

Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity at OSU, with William Clare Barnett, 1926.

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#13 Group of women at Ohio Statehouse with the AIU Citadel under construction in the background, 1924

Group of women at Ohio Statehouse with the AIU Citadel under construction in the background, 1924

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#14 Archaeological and Historical Museum at Ohio State University, Columbus, also known as Sullivant Hall and now the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, 1920s

Archaeological and Historical Museum at Ohio State University, Columbus, also known as Sullivant Hall and now the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, 1920s

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#15 Buckeye Steel band at a social gathering, founded October 1902, located on Parsons Avenue, merged with Worthington Industries in 1980, 1920s

Buckeye Steel band at a social gathering, founded October 1902, located on Parsons Avenue, merged with Worthington Industries in 1980, 1920s

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#16 Buckeye Steel patriotic display, possibly a May Day celebration, founded October 1902, located on Parsons Avenue, merged with Worthington Industries in 1980, circa 1920s

Buckeye Steel patriotic display, possibly a May Day celebration, founded October 1902, located on Parsons Avenue, merged with Worthington Industries in 1980, circa 1920s

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#17 Buckeye Steel yard with workers, cars, and railroad track, founded October 1902, located on Parsons Avenue, merged with Worthington Industries in 1980, circa 1920s

Buckeye Steel yard with workers, cars, and railroad track, founded October 1902, located on Parsons Avenue, merged with Worthington Industries in 1980, circa 1920s

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#18 City garage south of Mound Street and west of Short Street, featuring W. D. Lowe Machine & Engine Works and Wagner Awning Company, July 26, 1928.

City garage south of Mound Street and west of Short Street, featuring W. D. Lowe Machine & Engine Works and Wagner Awning Company, July 26, 1928.

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#19 City Hall after the fire, original building opened March 28, 1872, destroyed by fire on January 12, 1921, photo taken January 13, 1921.

City Hall after the fire, original building opened March 28, 1872, destroyed by fire on January 12, 1921, photo taken January 13, 1921.

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#20 Columbus Federation of Women’s Clubs proposed building site on Front Street, 1926

Columbus Federation of Women's Clubs proposed building site on Front Street, 1926

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#22 Westside view of Columbus skyline from the Central High School construction site, 1923.

Westside view of Columbus skyline from the Central High School construction site, 1923.

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#23 Dormitory at Capital University, Columbus, later known as Lehmann Hall, 1920s

Dormitory at Capital University, Columbus, later known as Lehmann Hall, 1920s

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#24 Gay and Water Streets before Columbus City Hall construction, photos taken before October 29, 1926, March 11, 1924.

Gay and Water Streets before Columbus City Hall construction, photos taken before October 29, 1926, March 11, 1924.

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#25 View of Glenmont Avenue towards Indianola Avenue in Clintonville, Columbus, 1923.

View of Glenmont Avenue towards Indianola Avenue in Clintonville, Columbus, 1923.

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#26 Governor’s Mansion on East Broad Street, Columbus, 1923.

Governor's Mansion on East Broad Street, Columbus, 1923.

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#27 Home and conservatory of Henry S. Hallwood, 1925.

Home and conservatory of Henry S. Hallwood, 1925.

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#28 A private ambulance and driver of ‘The Fletcher-Brown Company’, parked on a sidewalk, Columbus, 1925

A private ambulance and driver of 'The Fletcher-Brown Company', parked on a sidewalk, Columbus, 1925

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#29 First air-rail trip, New York to Los Angeles, starting point in Columbus, Ohio, 1929.

First air-rail trip, New York to Los Angeles, starting point in Columbus, Ohio, 1929.

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Written by Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark is a historian and writer who is passionate about sharing the stories and significance behind historical photos. He loves to explore hidden histories and cultural contexts behind the images, providing a unique insight into the past.

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