Worthington Historical Society

06/22/2026

The sheep enjoyed a wonderful Arts Festival weekend on the Griswold Center lawn and will remain on display through the July 4th weekend as part of the America 250 celebrations!

This site was one of the 164 original town lots platted by the Scioto Company and was home for nearly 150 years to a property commonly known as the Tuller-Archer House. The home faced south, located in the northwest quadrant of the Village Green. The oldest portion of the structure was likely built prior to 1807. In 1837, Flavel Tuller (1795–1881) and his brother, Homer Tuller (1796–1866), purchased the lot and house.

Flavel and Homer Tuller were active entrepreneurs in early Worthington, initially operating a distillery while acquiring land and building substantial real estate holdings on land designated as farm lots by the Scioto Company. After selling the distillery, they spent more than twenty years engaged in the mercantile trade in Worthington before turning to the slaughtering and packing of pork. By 1860, Flavel’s agricultural holdings reflected the scale of their operations, including 120 swine, 10 horses, and 240 acres of land, with 130 acres improved and 1,100 acres unimproved recorded in the agricultural census. After a few years, the brothers closed their packing business and undertook a venture transporting two loads of pork and provisions down the river to Natchez, Mississippi,

Some years before the turn of the 20th century, the property was acquired by Frank E. Archer who added a six-room addition on the west side that was relocated in 1919 and incorporated into another residence at 51 North Street.

In the mid-1950s, the original structure was demolished after Lot 60 was purchased by Park Federal Savings and Loan, and a new building was constructed on the site. The City of Worthington acquired the property in 1980; this newer structure was later razed to make way for the Griswold Center, which opened in 1993.

Make sure to plan a visit to learn about many organizations around Worthington and their histories, while also enjoying the fabulous art representing each organization.

06/21/2026

Join us Sunday at 2 pm or Wednesday at 12 pm this week for a tour of the Orange Johnson House! To reserve a spot, visit worthingtonhistory.org

06/17/2026

100 Years Ago Today....June 17th, 1926

Dr. Dickerson Welling (1847-1932) was a prominent physician in Worthington for many years. He served in the Civil War, and then returned to Worthington where he attended the Ohio Central Normal School, Otterbein College, and the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati.

In the June 17th, 2026 Worthington News, Dr. Welling's letter from the Grand Army Republic's encampment appeared, sixty years after the end of the Civil War. He wrote: "My Dear Commander: Our work as Grand Army Posts and as individual members of the Grand Army, is rapidly nearing the end of activity, but, thank goodness, our works will live on after us. Abundant life of deeds of valor on battlefields and as citizens of a united country, with sixty years of teaching patriotic devotion to the flag and loyal citizenship—are all honored and esteemed in our land and will be as long as our nation exists. Our influence and our devotion to the flag and love for our beloved country, will be felt by the rising generations following us. Comrades, we are not dead in the minds and hearts of our countrymen. Our loyalty to America, preserved and united, is monumental.”

To read the full letter and other news from 100 years ago, visit: https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll97/id/426/rec/1

06/16/2026

Then & Now - 1976 to 2026

The property at the southwest corner of New England and High was originally constructed around 1834 by the Snow family. It was home to Worthington's first drug store, operated by John Snow and later Harry Leasure had a drug store here too. In 1916, it was purchased by dentist Dr. Claude Longenecker, who renovated the building in 1919, removing the stepped gable front. The post office occupied the front of the building during the 1920's. In 1976 when the early photograph was taken, the building was occupied by Samuel Milliron, CPA and Miter Inc to the south and Worthington Realty to the north.

06/10/2026

100 Years Ago Today....June 10th, 1926

The Worthington News reported on the senior class gift in 1926. The article describes a new curtain for the stage at the high school (which is now the building). The paper states, "the old, unsightly, undependable and dangerous roll curtain has been removed. In its place .today hangs a heavy velour curtain, deep maroon in color and beautiful in the simplicity of its decoration. The curtain itself, hanging in heavy folds, opening from the center to the extreme width of the stage and operating on a concealed roller track, carries no decoration whatever. A valance of the same material, thirty inches deep and extending the full width of the arch bears, in the center, in the form of a crest, a golden wreath surrounding the letter “W”, on either side of which, within the wreath, appear the letters “H” and “S” respectively. To the left of the wreath the numerals “19” and to the right the numerals “26” stand as a permanent reminder of a Class that thought in terms of the entire community. It is a gift particularly appropriate, particularly needed and particularly appreciated. The Class is to be congratulated both upon its decision as to what the gift should be and upon the good taste displayed in their selection after the decision had been made."

The accompanying photograph shows this curtain and came from a local family's scrapbook.

To read the full issue of the June 10th, 1926 visit https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll97/id/512/rec/2

06/08/2026

This Wednesday!

Annual Meeting & Program
Minute Men, Green Mountain Boys & More: Worthington’s Revolutionary Legacy
Wednesday, June 10th, 7 - 8:30 pm
The Griswold Center, 777 High Street
Free & Open to the Public

Many Worthingtonians know that Scioto company members and town founders Abner Pinney, Israel Case, and William Thompson served in America's struggle for independence, but did you know that two Minute Men, a member of the Green Mountain Boys, and a New Hampshire soldier who fought at Bunker Hill are also here?

Ted Dziemianowicz has followed the bread crumbs left by Virginia McCormick and others to learn some of their stories.

A short business meeting will be held prior to the program.

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

Then & Now - 1976 to 2026

This home, located at 48 East South Street, was built in the typical "American Foursquare" style around 1905. The style was popular from the mid-1890s through the 1930s and is recognized by its square footprint, two-and-a-half-story height, a pyramidal roof and wide front porch.

The home was first occupied by John & Virginia Strohm. Mr. Strohm was a Civil War Veteran. Virginia Strohm lived in Worthington from 1868 to her death in 1933. At that time, daughter Belle kept the home for several years.

In 1933 the Keys family purchased the home and owned it for 50 years, evidently using it as a rental property. Renters included the Richard & Elizabeth Tangeman and family and the Frederic and Gertrude Kramer and family. Mr. Tangeman was a civil engineer, and Professor Kramer was employed by OSU as a German Professor for many years.

In the 1980s, the house changed hands numerous times and it was during this period that an addition was made on the east side of the original footprint.

06/05/2026

"Sheep Pastures to Progress" update: The flock has relocated to McCord Park! This land was once part of and expansive early Worthington farm that stretched from the railroad tracks all the way west to the Olentangy River.

The acreage that would become McCord Park was once owned by Rodney Comstock, who purchased it in 1822. Rodney was known locally as an excellent mechanic and craftsman, setting up a log‑cabin workshop where he made and painted Windsor chairs. A War of 1812 veteran, early Presbyterian Church member, and donor of church land, he became a respected community figure. By 1850, his farm had 3 horses, 2 milk cows, 71 cattle, resulting in the highest livestock valuation in the township. He owned the land until 1855.

After passing to William Lewis for a decade, the property was sold in 1865 to Archibald Foster. Foster’s 150 improved acres produced wheat, corn, oats, and wool, supported herds of cattle and swine, and continued the land’s agricultural legacy through the late 19th century.

In the early 20th century, the land was platted as North High Acres in 1923. After being annexed in 1957, the City of Worthington acquired the property, transforming generations of farmland into civic space.

The park is named for Harold McCord (1904–1977), a deeply influential figure in Worthington’s educational history. McCord served as Worthington Schools Superintendent for 35 years (1938–1973), guiding the district through extraordinary growth—from 500 students to more than 7,000. Before that, he was principal of Worthington High School and even taught driving classes.