Walking Westerville

The annual 3rd grade field trip is a walking tour of Westerville. The boys and girls have been learning a lot about Westerville's history in social studies. The classes were anxious to tour Westerville and recognize the Westerville landmarks they learned about from their teachers.

Our tour began with a stop at the Westerville Courthouse where the classes listened intently to Mayor Ann Gonzales (pictured below) recount her responsibilities. Mayor Gonzales did an amazing job of engaging the students--she described her responsibilities on their level, with quite a bit of humor. The student's behavior reflected how much they thoroughly enjoyed their visit with the mayor.

Mrs. Kay leads her class on a mile journey, walking down Main Street,

to Everal Barn in Heritage Park.

"The Everal farm, named Rosedale after J.W. Everal's rose garden, is an excellent example of nineteenth century farm architecture. Industrialist John Everal, after having discovered a large clay deposit about one-half mile from the Village of Westerville, established the J.W. Everal Tile Company in 1872. The plant was located a short distance east of the present farm on the bank of Alum Creek. The brick and tile for the farmhouse, carriage house and other outbuildings at Rosedale were fired in the Everal kiln, as were those for many Westerville area structures of the period. The plant operated nine months per year and employed thirty people, making it the largest industry in Westerville. Peak output of the plant reached 25,000 bricks per day." (information from City of Westerville website)

Following Mrs. Koenig's interactive history lesson, the classes divided into groups of four andaccepted their next assignment--a nature scavenger hunt.

A picture of the Everal Homestead from across the pond. The boys wandered all over the property in search of their nature items.

After the nature hunt, the class walked about .25 miles to Alum Creek Park where lunch was enjoyed under the pavilion.

Noah and Eli taking time out from lunch, to allow Mom a quick picture.

The Hanby House, "by far the most historic site in Westerville", shown below. The home was purchased by Benjamin Hanby and used as a stop on the Underground Railroad in the 1850s. Benjamin Hanby was a composer of many Civil War songs and hymns including "Darling Nellie Gray" based on the true story of a runaway slave. He is also recognized for the popular Christmas song "Up on the House Top".

Mrs. Kay's class enjoying a rest before the afternoon walking tour begins. Unfortunately, the rain did not hold off as desired and the 2 hour walking tour was spent under umbrellas as the rain gently fell around us. At least 1) it didn't pour and 2) it wasn't so hot the students were miserable!

Otterbein College, a small liberal arts college, located nestled among the trees in Uptown Westerville was found in 1847.

In 1858, Westerville passed one of the earliest prohibition ordinances in Ohio. "That decision would affect the history of Westerville and the nation for over a century"! Below, Corbin's Saloon, created much controversy in Westerville. Enraged citizens eventually blew up the saloon, twice, and a saloon has not been established in Westerville since the "Whiskey Wars".

In 1909, the American Issue Publishing Company was formed as the parent company of the Anti-Saloon League of America. The national headquarters were moved from Washington DC to Westerville, Ohio (who knew?!). The printing plant was dedicated in 1909 and due to the volume of mail, Westerville became the smallest community in the country to have a first-class post office. Westerville remained a "dry community" until recently.

Uptown Westerville--home of Graeter's ice cream (yum!) and many other wonderful merchants and restaurants.

Hanging flower baskets and flags line South State Street, the main road

through Uptown Westerville.

The roads surrounding Uptown Westerville and Otterbein College are brick lined still today.

The house, located on the left in the picture below, was the headquarter of the American Issue Publishing Company. Today, the Westerville Public Library administartive offices and museum are located in the building.

The students, and parents, enjoyed our walking tour of Westerville. Who knew so much history occurred in our little town?!