Wedged between the OSU South Campus Gateway and downtown Columbus is a unique gem called the Short North. It is a place where history and modernity blend. A place ripe with diversity and steadfast in acceptance. It is a hub for creativity. A place to eat, sleep, work, and play. A place where dog walkers gather. A place where vendors and residents know each other and visitors are always welcome. It is not what is now; it is what is next.

We invite you to experience this community for yourself. Take our walking tour. Below are of some important locations we recommend you see. Each of these places holds a special spot in our history. They are accompanied by a detailed description. For a shortened version, please download our walking tour PDF, and take it with you on your journey.

Parking

There are several public lots as well as numerous parking meters and side streets in the Short North. For this walking tour we recommend that you park in the lot capping the intersection of Lincoln and High Streets, just across the street from Level Dining Lounge.

Just look up to marvel at the beautiful

High Street Arches From Poplar (near The Cap) to Smith Street (just past Fifth Avenue)

In the early 1900s, Columbus was known as “The Arch City.” This name was derived from the dozens of wooden arches, built in 1888 that spanned High Street. Back then, the arches were used to light the roadway. Later they became responsible for providing the electric power needed to run the city’s streetcars.

In 1914 the famous arches were torn down and replaced with cluster lights. For decades, the arches went unthought-of until June 1997 when district property owners petitioned for area improvements. Amongst the requests were repaved sidewalks, new flower planters, street furniture, and rebuilt High Street arches.

In 2002, nearly ninety years after their removal, the arches reappeared. Seventeen metal archways now line the Short North. A special light ceremony was held on September 1, 2007 to commemorate the arches’ return.

The new arches blend tradition architecture with modern wiring. This modern wiring allows the lights to be programmed to pulse, fade, and flicker in a variety of colors. Unique programs are created for holidays and special events.

The realization of these modern arches was made possible by a collaboration between the City of Columbus and the Short North Arts District, particularly the Short North Special Improvement District (SID).

Across the street from where you parked you will see

Rigsby’s Kitchen 698 North High Street

In 1986 when most of the district’s storefronts were boarded-up, facading the area as a commercial ghost town, Rigsby’s Kitchen, then named Eleni-Christina after owners Kent and Tasi Rigsby’s first-born daughter, opened its doors. As the area’s first truly upscale dining spot, the commencement of this business is touted as one of several milestones crucial to the Short North’s drastic turnaround.

In 1994, Rigsby’s underwent major remodeling and was re-christened to become Rigsby’s Cuisine Volatile. Now known as Risgby’s Kitchen, the restaurant serves American and Mediterranean cuisine. Customers can also enjoy the frequent live entertainment showcased at this fine-dining location.

Rigsby’s owner, Kent was one of the first people to truly believe in the Short North as a destination. His ambition and endurance have helped to strengthen not only his own business but the entire Short North region. Today Kent’s thirty-two years of culinary expertise entices people from all over to visit the Short North. Kent’s authentic cooking style has even earned him national praise.

Move north one storefront, past Level Dining Lounge to see the

Short North Gothic 714 North High Street

In the Short North, Grant Wood’s best-known work, American Gothic, gets turned on its head, well at least the woman in the painting does. This 2002 take on Wood’s original painting was done by artists Steve Galgas and Mike Altman. It rivals the most famous Short North Mural, the Mona Lisa Mural, and according to Steve Galgas, was slightly inspired by the quirkiness of the Mona Lisa Mural. On his website, Steve says, “We decided to continue the theme of giving an iconic painting an irreverent twist,” similar to how the Mona Lisa was turned on her side (galgas.com).

Though the woman being on her head is the most obvious difference between the mural and the original piece, Short North Gothic features several other differences. For instance the woman in the original is on the left while the woman in the mural is on the right, and whereas the original painting features a famous pitchfork, no farm equipment is present in the Short North piece. The Short North Gothic mural features one more unique addition; a hand in the upper, left corner of the painting points the way to shops on the side street.

You can find this piece at the corner of Lincoln and High Streets, right across from Level Dining Lounge.

Less than one block away on the same side of the street is

pm gallery 726 North High Street

in 1980 when the area was known for its dereliction and bad reputation, Maria Galloway took a chance and opened pm gallery. Though not the first gallery to appear in the Short North, that title goes to the now-closed Artreach Gallery, pm gallery is the oldest surviving gallery in the district.

Within its walls pm houses brilliant artisan crafts, ceramics, paintings, photography, and other contemporary art created by over three-hundred local, national, and Canadian artists. But pm is best known for its blown and leaded glass. In fact, a multitude of colorful glass orbs mark pm’s legendary storefront.

Maria herself has been instrument in the Short North’s revitalization. She has served as the president, vice president, and treasurer of the Italian Village Society, is one of the most-referenced Short North spokespeople, and is currently a board member of the Short North Business Association. Perhaps one of Maria’s most important roles occurred in January 1984 when she teamed up with the owner of Artreach to sponsor the first mult-gallery event, the predecessor of the now-popular Gallery Hop.

Round the corner at Pearl. One block down you will notice the

Mona Lisa Mural 742 North Pearl Street

An iconic symbol of the Short North, this representation of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa turned on her side was painted in 1990 by Brian Clemons of Optic Nerve Art Corporation. The Mona Lisa Mural has seen two restorations. The first was done by the original artist in 2001, the second by artist Curtis Goldstein in 2005.

The building fortunate enough to be graced by this famous lady is owned by residential developer Sandy Wood of The Wood Companies. Sandy is responsible for turning the 1920s building, which was previously an auto body shop, into the Mona Lisa Condominiums, a building that features seven condos.

Chris Steele, artist and president of Citizens for a Better Skyline, a non-profit group committed to historic conservation and the pedestrian experience, collaborate with Joe Kuspan on the Mona Lisa Mural’s design.

A September 2005 article from the Short North Gazette quotes the restoration artist, Curtis, as saying, “The sideway Mona Lisa is a symbol of the Short North’s unique role as Columbus’ art district. If it had been the Mona Lisa straight up, it wouldn’t have been as interesting. They turned it on its side and made it fun. The Short North is a mixture of old and new, so taking the Mona Lisa and giving it a new twist is an interesting blend of old and new.”

Make your way back to High Street. Roughly two blocks away from the Mona Lisa Mural is the

Café Terrace at Night Mural on the patio of Union Cafe, 780 North High Street

Created in 2003 by Dragonfly Design artists Dwaine MacDonald, Susan O’Dell, and Patrick Corbett, the multi-wall reproduction mural of Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night, can be found on the side of the Voo Doo Denim building.

Sandy Wood of The Wood Companies, who commissioned the mural, told Jennifer Hambrick of the Short North Gazette, “The Short North is an arts district, and all the murals have been put up with the objective of enhancing that image.”

Maddy Weisz, president of the Brick Street Arts Association, an organization that assists the development of public artworks in the Short North added, “I feel that the art drives the Short North. People really see it as kind of a quirky, unique kind of place to come to, and public artworks definitely enhance that image. I think people come down here and they see the murals and the sculptures and the galleries, and, to me, that was the beginning of the Short North. It is a blend, but I think the arts really enhance the area and make it special."

East and one block back is

Italian Village bounded by Route 670, Fifth Avenue, North High Street, and Conrail railroad tracks

Named in 1973 for the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Italian Village was one of Columbus’ first suburbs. Despite the name, the neighborhood was actually quite diverse. The annual Italian Festival held over the Columbus Day weekend is held at

St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church 720 Hamlet Street

Since it was built in 1898 St. John’s has been central to Columbus’ Italian Community. The church’s original mission was to help Italian immigrant families keep their faith alive by providing traditional Italian Catholic services and holiday rituals performed in their native Italian language. The church still offers these services along with Italian classes that teach the romance language.

Take a right on Hubbard Ave to visit the

Italian Village Park 55 Hubbard Avenue

A central meeting spot for Italian Village residents, the Italian Village Park was first constructed in the 1970s. In 2007, thanks to the efforts of the Italian Village Society and the Short North Improvements District, it underwent a $1 million renovation that called for the demolition of all the existing park features for a total makeover. This makeover included the revamping of the lawn, the removal of broken concrete, and the installation of flower beds, bike racks, and benches. The park also features tables and chairs to enjoy a reading a book or eating lunch, a playground and free WiFi.

Now for a little leg-work. Keeping on the East side of the street go north four blocks, and you will see the

Fireproof Warehouse & Storage Company Sign 1024 North High Street

The Fireproof sign has been in the Short North community since the Murrin family operated a horse-drawn moving and storage company out of the building in 1906. Now the people inside the building specialize in a different kind of storage. Fireproof Records Center, a company that stores electronic business documents, has adopted the old sign and despite the confusion that some customers experience upon seeing the building labeled as a “Warehouse & Storage Company,” Fireproof has decided to keep it around.

Make your way to Fourth Avenue and High Street.

Across the way you can find the

Skully’s Sign 1151 North High Street

Erected in 2002, the sign at Skully’s Music-Diner has become a recognizable landmark in the Short North. Owner Skully Web helped design the 1950s retro-style sign to compliment his diner theme. He told Jennifer Hambrick of the Short North Gazette, “That was a common theme in the 50s, a big flashing arrow. Drive-ins and movie theatres were all the rage, and I got ideas from that.”

Walking Tour Part Two

by Morgan Baughman