What was Columbus like in the early 20th Century?
Look closely at the photograph to the left. How many differences can you identify between Columbus in the early 1900s and Columbus today? Compare the buildings, businesses, fashion, transportation and anything else you find in the photograph.
By the early 1900s, Columbus was a bustling city. New people were arriving everyday. The population grew from about 125,000 in 1900 to 300,000 by 1930. There were three main groups of people coming to Columbus during this time: immigrants new to the United States from Europe, families from Appalachia, and African Americans moving north from the southern states. People migrated to Columbus because of the hundreds of growing industries that created many, many jobs.
In March of 1913, one of the greatest Columbus disasters occurred. For several days, it rained in Ohio, dumping about 10 inches of rain. On March 25, the Scioto River crashed over its banks, broke through the levees (walls built to prevent water from going in certain directions or areas) and flooded the area of Columbus known as Franklinton in a torrent of water. People living in this area did not know that a flood was coming and were unprepared. Many people died and even more had to be rescued.
In March of 1913, one of the greatest Columbus disasters occurred. For several days, it rained in Ohio, dumping about 10 inches of rain. On March 25, the Scioto River crashed over its banks, broke through the levees (walls built to prevent water from going in certain directions or areas) and flooded the area of Columbus known as Franklinton in a torrent of water. People living in this area did not know that a flood was coming and were unprepared. Many people died and even more had to be rescued.
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In the early 20th century, automobiles were becoming popular. In order to keep up with the times, The Columbus Buggy Company began manufacturing electric and gasoline powered automobiles. With people purchasing automobiles, they could now live outside the city and drive into work This led to the beginnings of the first type of suburb.
Streetcars were also popular during this time. At first, streetcars were pulled by horses, but during the early 1900s, the streetcars were electric and driven by a motorman or a conductor. Streetcar tracks, like those shown in the picture below, could be found all throughout the city. |
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A picture of actual pages from the directory
During this time, the Columbus cityscape was heavy with industry and manufacturing buildings filling the skyline. Some of these types of businesses included steel companies, machine companies, and iron and glass plants. At this time, most residences and businesses were still heated with coal, so daily coal delivery was an important business!
If you needed work in the early 1900s, there were many different trades and occupations to choose from. Looking at the 1914 Franklin County Directory, you can see many of the lines of work. They included:
If you needed work in the early 1900s, there were many different trades and occupations to choose from. Looking at the 1914 Franklin County Directory, you can see many of the lines of work. They included:
- furniture makers/dealers
- house movers
- meat packers
- milliners
- nurses
- painters
- hotel operators
- grocers
- furriers
- roofers
- realtors
- piano makers
- and many more!
Columbus changed a great deal in size throughout the early 1900s. An exploding population, new technology, and hundreds of new businesses and industries all led to the city needing more land within its city limits.
Below is a map of Columbus from 1901 showing all of the annexations. Annexation is the act of a city adding land to its authority or control. Notice how the city is expanding in a shape resembling a "+" sign, especially to the north and the west. Why do you think this might be?
Below is a map of Columbus from 1901 showing all of the annexations. Annexation is the act of a city adding land to its authority or control. Notice how the city is expanding in a shape resembling a "+" sign, especially to the north and the west. Why do you think this might be?
