Neighborhood Spotlight: Westerville in the Spring

By Molly Hammond

The city of Westerville, which has become the largest suburb in Central Ohio, has managed to keep its small-town atmosphere while preserving its rich history and culture. Many residents regard the city's allure and the historic Uptown District

Westerville can trace its roots back to 1806, when Edward Phelps, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and his friend Issac Griswold, set up a settlement on Alum Creek, near the junction of Westerville Road and St. Rte. 161, otherwise known as Blendon Corners. Then, in 1809, the Sharp family became the first to inhabit what is now considered the city limits of Westerville.

The city then saw the passage of a local prohibition ordinance, a law that businessman Henry Corbin challenged twice, in 1875 and 1879. This resulted in the dynamiting of Corbin's saloons, famously known as the 'Westerville Whiskey Wars'. The town earned its nickname, 'Dry Capital of the World', after the Anti-Saloon League of America moved its headquarters and printing company, American Issue Publishing Company, to the area in 1909.

In an ironic change of pace, Westerville now hosts a craft beer festival each year. Uptown Untapped is a unique celebration that pays homage to the city's history as the "Dry Capital of the World" while embracing its bright future in the Uptown district. This festival brings together local breweries, restaurants, and musicians to the same streets that the Anti-Saloon League used to connect the city to the rest of the country.

If you’re looking to get outdoors, the Hoover Sailing Club, a volunteer-driven organization that encourages sailing as a sport among members and guests, is a great place to start. They offer a variety of educational and recreational programs to create a vibrant community learning to have fun on the Hoover Reservoir.

First Responders Park,

Photo by James DeCamp

Additionally, the Westerville Bike and Walkways (B&W) system is popular among thousands weekly. This recreational path stretches for 51 miles, passing through parks, wooded spots, fields, rivers, roads, streets, and neighborhoods.

A walk around the historic Otterbein University campus to take in its historic Victorian Gothic architecture is great no matter the season, but it’s exceptionally idyllic in the spring with the local redbuds in bloom. First Responders Park and its memorial to fallen officers is also great for a daytime stroll.

Otterbein University

Photo by James DeCamp

After working up an appetite on the trail or water, you can head to the totallyunique Asterisk Supper Club, which is billed as an “exclusive, yet inclusive” dining establishment with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and stunning chandeliers. The restaurant has the feel of a whimsical country estate and offers afternoon tea with a refined a dinner menu in the heart of Westerville.

If you’d prefer to stay casual, Cardinal Pizza offers both Columbus and New YorkStyle pizza, alongside a great selection of craft beer. Looking for pizza, but feel like mixing it up? DiCarlo’s Pizza, serving Ohio Valley-style pies, tops each square, thick-crust pizza with cheese after it’s out of the oven.

Cardinal Pizza

Photo by Aaron Massey

The city that was once a prohibition hotbed does currently operate a craft brewery as well. Uptown Deli & Brew serves their own beer in-house, alongside a array of hearty sandwiches and more.

Cap off the day with something sweet by stopping by Whit’s Frozen Custard–a classic summer carryout spot–or the foodierevered Little Ladies Soft Serve, which features a number of creative and indulgent soft serve sundaes.

Westerville has, over the years, been a symbol of equality and education in Franklin County, as its own Otterbein College (established in 1847) was the first institution of higher learning in the United States to admit women and students of color without restriction and hire them on its faculty - a remarkable achievement for a time before the Civil War. The university is now home to over 2,000 students and is a popular landmark for those visiting the area.

For close to two hundred years, Westerville has been through a lot of alterations. But, throughout it all, the people of the city have shown immense pride in their culture and heritage, as well as having a clear outlook for the future. This legacy is carried on by the descendants of the original settlers who fought in the Revolutionary War, as well as those who assisted the Underground Railroad, to the current citizens of Westerville who are committed to making it a better place for the generations to come.