A Brief History of Bexley – Bexley Historical Society

January 1

Adena Indians Along Alum Creek

As early as 1 AD, human life is know to have existed along Alum Creek, as evidenced by a prehistoric Adena Indian Mound found here. Historic indigenous peoples lived and hunted in the area between 1650 and 1795 when the Treaty of Greenville forced them to the north.

November 16

The Opening of the National Road

The opening of the portion of the national Road (Main Street) connecting Zanesville with Columbus in 1833, and the building of the Turnpike Plank Road (Broad Street) connecting Granville with Columbus in 1852, created the groundwork for settlement of the Bexley area. Pioneers created farmlands from the lush forests. Homes,..Read More

January 1

First Schoolhouse

In 1864, the first brick school house was built at what is now College and Livingston

January 1

1875 Schoolhouse

In 1875, a two-room red brick schoolhouse was built on Pleasant Ridge Avenue near Main Street for the benefit of the farm children in the area, and just one year later Capital University moved from Columbus to its present campus site. Urbanization had begun.

January 1

Early Community

By 1878, the neighborhood consisted of a few farm houses, the school, the small university and a growing number of permanent residents. In 1880, the first church, The Christ Lutheran Church, organized by the university, was constructed on teh northeast corner of what is now Main Street and Drexel Avenue.

January 1

Early Growth and Camp Bushnell

In the late 1880’s, development took a turn which would have a profound effect on the eventual character of Bexley. Several wealthy Columbus businessmen, recognizing the area quiet beauty, began building large homes in estate settings along the east bank of Alum Creek north of Broad Street. This new growth..Read More

January 1

Early 1900s

By 1906, the area north of Town Street (now Bryden Road) continued to develop as an exclusive residential community of prominent Central Ohio families led by R.H. Jeffrey, who later became Mayor of Columbus. They established rigid building restrictions which are credited with the character of the areas subsequent growth...Read More

January 1

Becoming a Village

Barely a year after starting the association, the founders decided to incorporate as a village the area south of Town Street (now Bryden Road). This would have left the Jeffrey community to fend for itself as each area lacked sufficient population to incorporate separately and both were unwilling to be..Read More

January 8

Early Laws

In August, 1908, the first Bexley village council representing approximately one thousand citizens, met in the University’s Recitation Hall. With Frank P. Holzman as Mayor, the first council passed ordinances prohibiting residents from allowing cattle to graze on village property, outlawed intoxication, assault and the discharging of firearms and banned..Read More

January 1

Columbus Taxation

The young village was soon embroiled in a legal battle with neighboring Columbus. The city regarded Bexley as annexed territory, refusing to acknowledged its incorporation, and sought to tax its residents accordingly. Villagers protested and appointed Mayor Holtzman as an individual taxpayer to file an injunction suit. Later in the..Read More

January 1

New Marshall

By 1915, the village had hired its first marshal, and the council was meeting in the basement of the new East Main Street school building. Total assets of the village were listed as a road scraper, a wheel barrow, the marshal’s bicycle and a vacant lot which was to be..Read More

April 11

New Schools

1921 was a year of both growth and plans for growth. The high school was nearing completion, and the Cassingham Elementary School was to be built soon. With the population at nearly two thousand, Mayor Stephen Ludwig undertook to govern future expansion by appointing the first zoning commission and revising..Read More

April 5

New City Hall

William A. Schnieder, a thrifty, practical contractor was elected Mayor in 1935 and began setting aside certain tax income to build a new city hall. His efforts were successful, and the building was completely paid for when dedicated April 5, 1952. Mayor Schnieder continued in the office for fifteen more..Read More

Bexley History