What Columbus looked like in the 1980s Captured in these Fabulous Photos

The 1980s in Columbus, Ohio, were a time of transition and growth. The city was shedding its image as a sleepy Midwestern town and stepping onto the national stage. From its bustling downtown streets to its quiet suburban neighborhoods, Columbus had a unique vibe that residents remember fondly.

Downtown Columbus was the heart of the action. The City Center Mall, a shiny new addition to the skyline, drew shoppers with its array of department stores and boutiques. Lazarus, Jacobson’s, and Montaldo’s were popular destinations for fashion-conscious Columbusites. After a day of shopping, families could grab a bite at the food court or catch a movie at the theater.

Just a short walk away, High Street buzzed with energy. College students from Ohio State University mingled with young professionals and families, creating a diverse and vibrant atmosphere. Record stores like Magnolia Thunderpussy and Mole’s Records were havens for music lovers, while bookstores like Little Professor and the Ohio Book Store offered a quiet escape.

Throughout the year, Columbus hosted a variety of events that brought the community together. The Ohio State Fair, a summertime tradition, showcased agriculture, entertainment, and thrilling rides. The Jazz & Rib Fest filled the downtown air with the sounds of music and the aroma of barbecue. And during the holiday season, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium would transform into a winter wonderland with its Wildlights display.

Neighborhood Gems: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Beyond the downtown core, Columbus’s neighborhoods each had their own distinct personality. German Village, with its brick streets and charming houses, was a step back in time. The Short North, a haven for artists and creatives, was known for its galleries, studios, and funky shops. Victorian Village boasted beautiful historic homes, and Italian Village offered a taste of European culture.

These neighborhoods were more than just places to live; they were communities where neighbors knew each other and local businesses thrived. Corner stores, family-owned restaurants, and independent shops were the backbone of these close-knit communities.

Dining Out: A Taste of Columbus

Columbus’s culinary scene was also evolving in the 1980s. The city offered a range of options, from classic American diners to ethnic eateries.

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in German Village served up authentic German fare, while TAT Ristorante di Famiglia in Victorian Village was a favorite for Italian food. The Clarmont, a supper club on the south side, was the place to go for a special occasion. And who could forget the iconic Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers, a Columbus original that was rapidly expanding across the nation?

Entertainment: Lights, Camera, Action!

For entertainment, Columbus residents had plenty of options. The Ohio Theatre, a restored movie palace, hosted Broadway shows and concerts. The Palace Theatre offered a variety of performances, from ballet to rock concerts.

Movie theaters like the Drexel North and the Southland were popular spots for catching the latest Hollywood releases. And for a night of laughs, the Funny Bone Comedy Club brought in some of the biggest names in stand-up.

#1 145 and 149 N. Eureka Ave. in Hilltop, taken for the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide to the neighborhood’s history and architecture, 1980s

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#2 View of 152 South Wheatland Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s historical and architectural guide, 1980s

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#3 157 Nashoba Ave. in Hilltop, captured for a guide by the Greater Hilltop Area Commission on local history and architecture, 1980s

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#4 170 South Wheatland Avenue in Hilltop for the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s historical and architectural guide, 1980s

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#5 1817, 1823, and 1827 Sullivant Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide to the area’s history and architecture, 1982

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#6 1823 and 1827 Sullivant Ave. in Hilltop, part of a project by the Greater Hilltop Area Commission, 1982

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#7 View of 1831, 1837, and 1845 Sullivant Ave., taken for the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide to Hilltop, 1983

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#8 View of 202, 192, and 184 N. Eureka Ave. in Hilltop, taken for the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s neighborhood guide, 1980s

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#9 110 N. Eureka Ave., part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide to Hilltop’s history and architecture, 1980s

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#10 110 S. Wheatland Ave., featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop guide, 1980s

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#11 Photo of the corner of Grace St. and Eldon Ave, with 116 Eldon Ave., for the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s

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#12 116 Eldon Ave. in Hilltop, captured for the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s neighborhood guide, 1980s

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#13 124 and 132 N. Hague Ave., part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop guide, 1982

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#14 127 S. Highland Ave. in Hilltop, demolished between 2009 and 2011, captured for the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s neighborhood guide, 1980s

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#15 13 Belvidere Avenue, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop U.S.A. guide, 1980s.

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#16 106 S. Wheatland Ave., featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop U.S.A. guide, 1980s.

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#17 107 Wheatland Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#18 Aerial views over Route 315 near Dublin Road, showing the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1984.

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#19 Bird’s eye view of downtown Columbus including the bridges over the Scioto River, 1980s.

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#20 Scenes from the 1985 Columbus Ford Dealers 500 automobile races, October 4-6, 1985.

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#21 199 South Wheatland Avenue, highlighted in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop guide, 1980s.

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#22 192 and 202 N. Eureka Ave., part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop project, 1980s.

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#23 205 Lechner Avenue in Hilltop, from the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#24 210 N. Eureka Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#25 210 and 216 N. Eureka Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop guide, 1980s.

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#26 2160 Springmont Avenue in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#27 22 N. Eldon Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#28 223 S. Roys Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop U.S.A. guide, 1980s.

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#29 227 N. Eureka Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#30 2278, 2272, and 2268 Springmont Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#31 234 S. Roys Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#32 235 South Roys Avenue in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#33 249 and 253 S. Burgess Ave., with an unidentified man waving, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#34 2539 and 2525 Ridge Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop guide, 1980s.

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#35 2539 Ridge Avenue in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#36 254 North Eureka Avenue, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop U.S.A. guide, 1980s.

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#37 2562 Eakin Road in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#38 275 Columbian Avenue, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop U.S.A. guide, 1980s.

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#39 2751 Steele Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#40 308 and 296 S. Wheatland Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#41 320, 326-332, and 334 S. Highland Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s Hilltop guide, 1980s.

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#42 322, 326, and 334 S. Wheatland Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide to the neighborhood’s history and architecture, 1980s.

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#43 320, 326-332, and 334 S. Highland Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#44 588 S. Terrace Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#45 597 Woodbury Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#46 611 Whitethorne Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#47 63-65 North Hague Avenue in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#48 642 S. Terrace Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#49 657 Wiltshire Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#50 660 Racine Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#51 654 and 660 Whitethorne Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#52 666 Racine Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#53 668 Wiltshire Rd and surrounding houses in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#54 668, 674, and 680 Wiltshire Rd. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#55 676 and 680 Racine Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#56 680 and 684 Wiltshire Rd. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#57 680 and 684 Wiltshire Rd. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#58 684 Wiltshire Rd. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#59 716 and 710 S. Terrace Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#60 81 North Eureka in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#61 1936 Fairmount Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#62 Aerial view of downtown Columbus looking east, 1985.

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#63 Aerial views near the Scioto and Olentangy River confluence, looking west and southwest, 1984.

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#64 Aerial views of Columbus looking south and west along the Scioto River, 1984.

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#65 Aerial views from Route 315 looking east across Franklinton toward downtown Columbus, 1985.

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#66 Aerial views looking east toward southern downtown Columbus, 1984.

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#67 Aerial views of downtown Columbus, with early construction of the Huntington Center, circa 1984.

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#68 Views of downtown Columbus from the roof of the Buckeye Building, 1989.

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#69 86 S. Wheatland Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#70 91 and 95-97 North Hague Ave. in Hilltop, 1980s.

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#71 94-96 and 98-100 N. Hague Ave. in Hilltop, 1980s.

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#72 Atlas Building, originally Ferris Building, created by Frank L. Packard, groundbreaking in 1904, extensive renovation in 1982.

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#73 Back of 116 Eldon Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#74 Back of 22 N. Eldon Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#75 Photograph of a vacant lot in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#76 Back of an unidentified house in Hilltop, 1980s.

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#77 Baker Art Gallery, prominent photography studio in Columbus, 1980s

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#78 Battelle Riverfront Park before the installation of the Santa Maria, dedicated April 15, 1983.

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#79 Browning Amphitheater at The Ohio State University, looking north, 1988.

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#80 Buckeye Steel Castings Company factory, founded October 1902, located on Parsons Avenue, merged with Worthington Industries in 1980.

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#81 Businesses along west side of North High Street between West Hudson and the alley, including Benchworks Art Gallery, James H. Jewett law office, Garcia’s International Restaurant, Apocalypse Records, Karen Wickliff Books, Artists Workshop Gallery, Schreiner Plumbing and Hardware, Circa 1980s

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#82 Central National Bank building at 152 South High Street, constructed in 1901, demolished in 1983, 1980.

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#83 Chick’s Camera Exchange, Levison’s pawnbroker, and Allright Parking on East Long Street, 1986.

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#84 Clintonville Branch of the Huntington National Bank on the corner of West Duncan and North High Streets, now occupied by Ace of Cups, 1984.

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#85 Club Tropicana, noted for hosting the Willie Pooch Blues Band, August 19, 1982.

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#86 Columbia Gas of Ohio building, opened on July 25, 1983, with 259,000 square feet on 14 floors, cost $30 million, view from Bicentennial Park, Circa 1980s

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#87 Columbus Cultural Arts Center, gallery and teaching space for visual artists and crafters, located at 139 West Main Street, part of Scioto Mile tourist district, 1988

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#88 Columbus Metropolitan Library Franklinton Branch, second location, opened in former Cranfill Dental Lab in 1976, demolished in 1995, photograph from October 20, 1988.

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#89 Columbus Metropolitan Library Interim Building, remained open during expansion project in the late 1980s, 1988.

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#90 Columbus Metropolitan Library Interim Building Construction, expansion of Main Library, 96 S. Grant Avenue, began with construction of parking garage, 1988.

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#91 Southeast corner of the Columbus Metropolitan Library under expansion, 1989.

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#92 Columbus downtown skyline views from the Town Street Bridge, August 1984.

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#93 Columbus Train Depot, photograph by Marlo Bartels for mural inspiration, 1988.

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#94 View of Downtown Columbus, featuring the AEP building and the Leveque Tower, 1988

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#95 Aerial view of the intersection at Broad and High Streets, centering on the Deshler Hotel, Columbus, 1980s

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#96 Highland Avenue and Floral Avenue, Columbus, 1982

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#97 Downtown Columbus aerial view from WTVN radio building, 1983.

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#98 Southeast view of downtown Columbus along the Scioto River, 1980s

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#99 Views of downtown Columbus skyline, 1987.

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#100 Night view of downtown Columbus riverfront and Scioto River, 1980s

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#101 View of Ohio Statehouse and downtown Columbus from West Broad Street, May 1982.

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#102 Dollar Savings Bank and Susan’s Hallmark Shop at the corner of Gay and High, Columbus, 1985.

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#103 Aerial views of Great Eastern Shopping Center, located at East Main Street and Hamilton Road, circa 1986.

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#104 Great Southern Hotel on Mound Street, in use today as The Westin Columbus Hotel, 1988.

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#105 Hartman Building, a Columbus tradition for 70 years, 1980.

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#106 Hartman Building, part of the Hartman family’s holdings including farm and theater, 1980.

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#107 View south on High Street from north of Chestnut Street, showing Ohio Department of Health and Nationwide Plaza, 1985.

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#108 View north on High Street from Elm Street, looking towards the Atlas Building, 1985.

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#109 View north on High Street from Gay Street, towards Madison department store and White Haines Building, 1985.

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#110 An unidentified garage in the Hilltop area, part of the Hilltop U.S.A.: History and Homes project, 1980s

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#111 A vacant lot in Hilltop, from the Hilltop U.S.A.: History and Homes project, 1980s

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#112 House on Clarendon Avenue, Hilltop, 1980s

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#113 Huntington Center building, photograph from Statehouse rotunda, opening dedication May 11, 1985.

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#114 Huntington Plaza, view from W Broad Street and S. Front Street, featuring Wyandotte building, 1985

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#115 Hyatt Pickett Hotel, opened January 16, 1984.

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#116 East Main Drive-in Theater, Columbus, Ohio, 1980.

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#117 Closer view of Kahiki Restaurant, E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 1980.

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#118 Barber shop on Livingston Street, Columbus, Ohio, 1980.

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#119 Eskimo Igloo Ice Cream shop, Columbus, Ohio, 1980.

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#120 Commercial building, Columbus, Ohio, 1980.

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#121 Photo Bus on Hamilton Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 1980.

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#122 Olson Abstract Co, Columbus, Ohio, 1982.

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#123 Ater’s Drive-in sign, Columbus, Ohio, 1984.

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#124 Jimmy’s Restaurant sign, Columbus, Ohio, 1984.

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#125 Yukon Building, Columbus, Ohio, 1984.

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#126 Haynes Block, Columbus, Ohio, 1984.

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#127 Exterior of White Castle Restaurant, Columbus, Ohio, 1985.

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#128

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#129 381 and 375 S. Hague Ave. in Hilltop, with the former since demolished, 1980s.

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#130 382 South Ogden Avenue in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#131 406 South Warren Avenue in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#132 429 S. Terrace Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#133 Front door and right side of 451 S. Guernsey Ave. with a car in the driveway, Hilltop, 1980s.

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#134 46-48 Clarendon Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#135 View south on Larcomb Ave. from 530 Larcomb Ave., with 538 Larcomb Ave. in the center, 1980s.

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#136 548, 538, and 534 Larcomb Ave. in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#137 550 S. Clarendon Ave. in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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#138 550 and 544 Wrexham Ave. in Hilltop, part of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#139 552 South Wheatland Avenue in Hilltop, featured in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s guide, 1980s.

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#140 557 Larcomb Avenue in Hilltop, included in the Greater Hilltop Area Commission’s project, 1980s.

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