We’ll take Columbus trivia for $400

20 facts you didn’t know about Columbus

Help us celebrate local small businesses. | Photo via Canva

Did you know Columbus is the most populated city in Ohio?

Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there’s plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of Columbus history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.

Either way, test your local knowledge with these 15 interesting facts.

1.) The Freedom Train, which helped enslaved Black people escape slavery in the 1800s, had five stops on the Ohio State University campus. The final point was a tunnel through Robert Neil’s home on Indianola + 15th Avenues where Kappa Sigma, a fraternity, now resides.

2.) When Abraham Lincoln received the telegram informing him he’d been elected president, he was giving a speech in Columbus to Ohio legislatures. How many times do we have to say this — all roads lead back to Ohio.

3.) Columbus has star power as numerous athletes, actors, and authors hail from the capital city. This includes decorated Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, chef Guy Fieri, and Josh Radnor, better known as Ted Mosby on “How I Met Your Mother.”

4.) Columbus used to be where the NFL held its headquarters. From 1927-1932, the NFL occupied a building on the intersection of High and Broad Streets.

Your turn. Think you can get one over on us? Let us know your favorite local trivia tidbit and you just might make it into the newsletter.

11 MORE COLUMBUS FACTS

Prompt: Did our fun facts surprise you?

Answers:

Yes, I didn’t know any of these.
I knew a few but there were still some surprises.
I know my city well and knew all these already.

LET US KNOW

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

The Rocky Horror Show | Fri., Oct. 21 - Sun., Oct. 30 | Garden Theater, Columbus | All of the eccentric characters from this cult classic will be live on stage + doing the time warp again. 🎭

Saturday, October 22

The Dark Market 2022 | Sat., Oct. 22 - Sun., Oct. 23 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | 400 West Rich, Franklinton, 400 W Rich St, Columbus | This mystical event offers performers, vendors, and guest speakers gathering to amaze, tempt, and share their magic. 🪄
Tom Petty Tribute Show | Sat., Oct. 22 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Rambling House, 310 E Hudson St, Columbus | Listen to all the hits from the iconic rocker + sip back local beers or crafted cocktails from Rambling House. 🎸

Sunday, October 23

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing’s Pups on the Patio at Understory | Sun., Oct. 23 | 12-8:05 p.m. | Understory, 2571 Neil Avenue, Columbus | Free | Bring your fur-friend to the patio this afternoon dressed in a costume for the chance to win a prize bundle from Barkbox and The Cakehound. 🐶

Monday, October 24

Punk Rock Karaoke | Mon., Oct. 24 | The Spacebar, 2590 N. High St., Columbus | Belt out your favorite emo, punk rock, and alternative music hits. 🎤

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

69º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain
Snow isn’t on the ground yet, but the Columbus Snow Warriors are already gearing up for the winter weather. The city is also updating its website to provide real-time tracking on plows. ❄️ (10TV)

Development

The Twisted Vine, a winery in Grandview, is planning an expansion that will double its space to 3,000 sqft. Its owner said the new space will allow the store to expand its bottle offerings + host larger gatherings. 🍷 (Columbus Business First)

Community

Giant Eagle, which has seven grocery stores in Columbus, will no longer offer plastic bags for shoppers. Instead, customers are encouraged to bring a reusable bag, or pay 5 cents per paper bag. 🛍 (NBC4)

Sports

The Columbus Blue Jackets unveiled its retro reversal 2.0 jerseys which are now available for purchase on the team store website. The Jackets will wear the new uniforms on Wed., Nov. 23 when they host the Montreal Canadians. 🏒

Watch

The Ohioana Book Awards will be live streamed from 6-9 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 26. Six of the eight winners will be in attendance to accept their awards, and others like Hanif Abdurraqib, a NYT best seller from Columbus, have pre-recorded an acceptance speech. 📚

Biz

Telhio, a Columbus-based credit union, is selling its former headquarters + moving to a new 30,000-sqft office inside The Peninsula. Currently, Telhio employs 75 central Ohio workers and plans to add 15 more before the end of 2022. (Columbus Business First)

Civic

Chief Diversity Officer Damita Brown announced she will be leaving her position for a new, non-government one, resulting in the city seeking to fill her former role. This position assists the mayor in bringing diversity + inclusion to programs and projects ran by the city. Damita’s last day is on Tues., Nov. 1.

Cause

Local non-profit Besa has changed the name of its “Adopt a Senior” program to WISH. With the name change, the group aims to collect donated gifts that will be given to 2,000+ fixed-income seniors during the holidays. Donations can be made online. 🎁

Health

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is experiencing high patient volumes for children with respiratory viruses + other illnesses. The hospital remains available for critically ill children, and encourages parents to contact their physician when noticing signs of symptoms.

Shop

Here’s a friendly reminder that Halloween is almost here. Have you bought your costume yet? What about the candy? And if you want to be the coolest parent or grandparent on the block — while increasing your trick-or-treater’s nighttime visibility — grab this affordable 100-pack of glow sticks.*

Stat

37% of prospective homebuyers believe that homeownership will improve their quality of life, according to this recent Financial Wellness Study. Plus, more than 78% are considering buying their first home in the next five years, and 53% want to buy within the next two years. 🏡 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Grand times in Grandview

Neighborhood Guide: Grandview in Columbus

Find living spaces near restaurants, shops, and stores at Grandview Yard. | Photo via @cityofgrandviewheights

When you head to Grandview, you’re visiting a spot in Columbus known for local shopping — this spans local restaurants to coffee shops to furniture stores. If you haven’t explored in a while, it might be time to rediscover why so many people — maybe even you — love to call it home.

Can’t miss

Only have a few minutes to spare here? We recommend snagging a giant cookie from Lion Cub’s Cookies which updates its menu weekly with past cookies like key lime pie + s’mores.

Shop

Local is all the rage in Grandview — the community is full of small businesses that stand out.

Reimagine your living space with wall decor, vintage furniture, and sofas from Grandview Mercantile.

Eat + drink

Whether you’re after an early morning brunch or an evening dinner, keep it local in Grandview.

Create your own egg sandwich or snag a donut at DK Diner for a quick + delicious breakfast.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Mitch.

Editor’s pick: I had blast doing the research for this newsletter. I think the biggest thing that shocked me was the NFL formerly being headquartered right here in the city. What shocked you the most?

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out these eight new openings in Columbus.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Mitch Hooper, Hanna Williford, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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