Walk to the corner of Gay and High streets where you will see the Old Modern Finance Building and former site of the Old Columbus Dispatch Printing Company. Built in 1899, the building was destroyed by fire in 1907 and rebuilt in 1910. Founded in 1871, the company was sold to Robert F. Wolfe and his brother Harry P. Wolfe in 1905, and the Wolfe family still owns the paper. The Dispatch moved to its current home at 34 South Third Street in 1925.
If you continue across Gay Street heading north, stop at the White-Haines Building at 82 North High Street next to the large Madison’s sign. Built in 1913, the building was designed by Richards, McCarty and Bulford of Columbus. Over the years, the building had many different uses, but the north storefront was home to Argo and Lehne Jewelers for many years.
From here, head back and turn left onto Gay Street to see a vibrant downtown business corridor filled with rehabbed historic buildings and local, small businesses. Now, take a right turn down Pearl Alley, home to the bi-weekly Pearl Market. If you find yourself here on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10:30 and 2:30 from May through October – you will experience a bustling market of local venders, farmers, musicians, and downtown workers. While you’re there, make sure to see the gorgeous graffiti mural painted by local artists and CCAD graduates in front of El Arepazo Latin Grill.
Continue down the alley a bit further and you’ll come to the historic Ringside Café. Dating back to 1910, the local watering hole was designed by architect Carl Howell of Howell and Thomas Architects. As a traditional haunt of politicians and newsmen, story has it that politicos would end their work day at Ringside and, depending on who arrived at the bar first, a light would be put behind the elephant or the donkey on the stained glass window outside the building to stake the winning party. Carved grape and vine decorations over an elegant corner entrance also make this small building a distinctive presence in Pearl Alley. The decorations covered over the words “Chamber of Commerce Café ,” an early name for the bar when the Board of Trade next door objected, afraid Temperance supporters would get the wrong idea. During Prohibition, the bar was the Jolly Gargoyle Tea Room, selling tea and small artistic knickknacks. These became very popular with the actors who played the vaudeville scene at the Palace—which has an eleven story hotel attached to the back of the theater—look for it.
11 E. Gay St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Franklin County
Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.
Taking images of public art works and sharing your experiences is one of the most fun reasons to engage with public art. As a community, we care deeply about the artists who have contributed the artworks we enjoy every day. Please be sure to credit artists when you share your photos. If you have an interest in using public artwork present in this database for commercial purposes, please contact Jami Goldstein at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Taking your own images of public artwork does not release you from the responsibility of artist credit and/or compensation.
This site is produced and managed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and supported by the Ohio Arts Council and public art collections across the state. Contributors to the databases to date include collections held by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, City of Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council, City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Department, City of Kettering, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Licking County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art program, Short North Arts District and the City of Sandusky. The database was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Research and development support is provided by Designing Local, OSA Technology Partners and Columbus artist Stephanie Rond. The Columbus Makes Art campaign is a citywide, collaborative marketing effort designed to highlight the incredible talent of central Ohio artists. The Greater Columbus Arts Council is supported by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council.
To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
ArtsinOhio.com is your one-stop resource for arts, festivals and cultural events throughout the Buckeye State. And, even better, it’s free!