HOMES WITH A HISTORY

The story of three fascinating Columbus homes, told by their owners

Every home has a story.

From the family of four with a bounding golden retriever to the curmudgeonly old man who lived alone, houses tell the tales of their owners.

That scratch above the fireplace? The vile yellow hue of paint covering the back bedroom? These things, while small, are all imbued with meaning, and they come together to tell us something, however imperfectly, about the human beings who lived before we did.

In a sense, that is what history really means: that you can still feel the presence of people in something, even when they’re no longer around.

Our cover section this month takes a look into three different historic homes from three different Columbus neighborhoods in order to tell each of their stories.

And from a mysterious a graveyard to a three-story turret with a panoramic view of Columbus, here’s what we found. →

GOOD

BONES By Melinda Green / Photos by Aaron Massey

↑ The current exterior of the home

The sign on the door of a South Stanwood Road house in Bexley still says “Tullys,” even though Scott and Claire Bone have lived there for the last eight months. And that’s intentional.

The Tullys owned the 1922 traditional American Colonial home between 1992 and 1996, when it was purchased by the Pohlman/Keder family, who cared deeply for it, even when it was time to sell. “They really wanted to get to know us and make sure we would look out for [the house],” Scott said. And they passed that test. And even though the Bones never met the Tullys in person, they kept the door sign up for posterity; to recognize the home’s former owners and their dedication to the space. In the entire 100-year lifespan of this house, there have only been five other owners. “That’s an insane stat,” Scott noted. But the house’s charm runs far deeper than that. The Bones both went to Bexley High School. After spending time in San Francisco, Scott relocated back to Bexley in 2015, where he reconnected with his now wife, Claire.

“Bexley’s always been a great place to raise a family, and the bottom line is, that’s why we’re here—for the kids to be able to get a great education,” Scott said. →

↑The current cozy living space

“Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t pay to live in Bexley,” he continued, laughing. The Bones’ goal was to find a property with a decent bit of space for their three children and dogs. But Parkview and Columbia, the big-lot and big-money streets, were out of the question. Enter the South Stanwood property. It’s actually situated a triple lot, with enough room for kids and dogs, as well as ample space for their ambitious landscape projects. “Our goal is not to see the fence, with so many plants,” Scott said. Also, since Claire's father is a horticulturist and her mother a retired landscape architect, that goal is very achievable.

The Bones have redone gutters, the garage, and the HVAC system. They’ve built an obstacle course for the kids and are thinking of adding a zipline between two of the trees. They also love to entertain outside, and they plan to extend their patio out into a larger entertainment space. And after discussing the family’s future plans for the home, Scott Bone also revealed something from its past. And it’s probably not what you’re expecting to hear.

Fun fact: this house was built on a graveyard.” And he’s not exaggerating: The St. Jacob, or Frey, Cemetery was a nineteenth-century German Catholic cemetery located near East Broad Street and Stanwood Road. The remains were moved to Mt. Calvary Cemetery in the early twentieth century, when many of the area’s houses were being built.

“There was this weird crawlspace in the basement, and we started joking: What if this place was a funeral home or something?” Scott recalled. But others confirmed that, yes, the property was once part of the Frey Cemetery. In fact, the tombstone of Margaretha Klaus, the “mystery tombstone lady,” was left behind during the move and discovered later on either the Bones’ property or one nearby (records are hazy on an exact location). The stone is now at Mt. Calvary, but her burial site cannot be located. “It might be weird to some people, but we love it,” Scott said. And, as if that’s not enough claim to fame, Waterworks Plumbing filmed a commercial in the house in 2021. The Bones had just moved in but hadn’t moved their furniture yet, so the the interior filming was done in the kitchen. Scott and Claire still see the commercial on television occasionally. It’s clear that the Bones are continuing the tradition of caring deeply for their home. And when the time comes for their family to move on from the property, they’ll leave a piece of their own legacy, just like that sign on the door.

↑ Snow dusts the home

↑ Natural lighting illuminates the dinning room

old towne,

↓ The historic home's exterior

new vibe

By Ellyn Briggs / Photos by Maddie Schroeder

How David Fleisher’s historic Olde Towne East home— complete with a multiple-story Wurlitzer—grew up alongside the neighborhood it stands in

↑ Interior of Fleisher's home

“It was love at first sight,” David Fleisher recalled of Olde Towne East.

Growing up in Washington Court House, he didn’t learn about the Columbus neighborhood—where he’s now lived for almost thirty years—until his mid-twenties. He attended a friend of a friend’s party in the area and was “immediately drawn” to the unique architecture of the homes.

So, as soon as the red-hot real estate market of the early ‘90s presented an opportunity within his budget, Fleisher snapped one up for himself. The Italianate on Oak Street was newly updated and in excellent shape. But as a lifelong project manager and history buff, his ultimate goal was to find a home that he could work to restore to its original condition.

In February 1999, Fleisher found just the place: a shabby but structurally-sound brick Queen Anne with a pillared front porch and gingerbread details located right around the corner on Franklin Avenue. He inherited it as “the worst-maintained house on the block,” but through years of labor and love, it’s been transformed into the exact opposite.

Initial renovations were driven by necessity—the old slate roof was falling apart and had to be replaced; the mortar in the 1890s limestone foundation was in dire need of repointing. But eventually, function gave way to form.

Some of the more noteworthy exterior features are the result of updates that Fleisher “strived to make timeless.” They include a custom mahogany storm door, a Fortin Ironworks-crafted railing on the secondfloor balcony, and a massive, refurbished parlor window surrounded by an archway of decorative brick. While each project varied in scope, the goal was always the same: to highlight the home’s history. “With everything we’ve done, we’ve tried to restore the original structure or mimic it with a replacement as best we could,” said Fleisher. “We’re super conscientious about making sure any updates fit in with the character of the neighborhood.”

A team of family and friends has supported the work at Franklin Avenue over the years. However, Fleisher recognized his partner, Mike McKinley, as indispensable to the renovation efforts. He described their working relationship: “I’m the idea guy, the planner. [McKinley] is my engineer and builder.”

Once the weather breaks, the pair aims to restore the carriage house and deck at the back of the property. Fleisher anticipates the

↑ The inner workings of the organ ↑ The inner workings of the Wurlitzer

↑ The enterance that features the Wurlitzer

WE’RE SUPER CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT MAKING SURE ANY UPDATES FIT IN WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. "

project will be completed in small sections, much like the main house. While slow-moving, this approach is intentional—and a source of pride. “When these homes were built in the late 1800s, they were built to last not just thirty or forty years, but centuries,” Fleisher explained. “It means a lot to me to have the opportunity to be a caretaker of that legacy. I want to make sure I’m going about my work today with the same diligence.”

Fleisher’s other hobbies are motivated by a similar desire to connect past with present. Whether he’s carrying on his parents’ love for gardening, collecting rare Columbus-native items to display in the foyer, or rehabbing classic cars out back, his historic property provides the perfect setting.

And inside, Fleisher’s home is just as historically rich as well. While it was previously known in circles across Columbus as the home with a massive pipe organ, Fleisher has swapped this for a 1926 Wurlitzer with approximately 750 pipes that spans all three floors of the Old Towne East property.

Additionally, visitors will see unique Columbus memorabilia throughout, like a phone booth from Union Station, an usher’s uniform from the Ohio Theatre, a 14-foot historial mural originally found in a Victorian Village home and more.

And as much as the aesthetic of the neighborhood and its history initially caught Fleischer’s eye, it’s the “sense of community” that has made him stick around. In so many ways, his experience on Franklin Avenue is emblematic of the Olde Towne East experience at large: rooted in respect and sustained by connection.

ROOMS VIEW WITH A

The Kremer house offers German Village history, and a three-story turret with skyline panoramics

By Laura Hennigan Photos by Tucker Gilkerson

A walk around the brick streets of German Village often leads you to Schiller Park. And a stroll around Schiller will likely land you at the corner of Jaeger Street and Reinhard Avenue, bringing the Kremer House into full view. Built by architect Julius Kremer between 1880 and 1890, this 12-room mansion is a Columbus landmark known for its distinct entryway arch and third floor turret. Kremer left his mark on the city, and is also known for designing the Hartman Theater and the Franklin County Children’s Home.

So when Dustin and Lauren Blake purchased the home in 2019, they knew it had good—and truly unique— bones, but it also needed some cosmetic updates.

“We’re trying to refresh everything on the outside. We want to keep it as historically accurate as possible, but with some modern touches as well,” Dustin Blake said.

Piece by piece though, the Blake family is renovating the entire home, both inside and out.

The attention and thoughtfulness to every small detail can be seen even from the sidewalk. Working with local company H.K. Phillips Restoration, the massive front porch has been redone, complete with limestone steps. Original Nelsonville bricks that were found in the basement now line the walkway with their signature star pattern. Additionally, Kelley Bell with Ohio Sign Painters painstakingly recreated the house numbers with vintage 24 karat gold leaf lettering.

“I love the character of this house that you don’t see until you are up close,” Dustin Blake said. “The lion statues are in dark stone and kind of hidden. The arch isn’t a traditional brownstone color, but instead has a purple tint, which is really unique and beautiful.”

Original stained glass windows light up at night, casting their colorful shadows out to the street below. Looking up means you’ll catch a view of the intricate tin ceilings throughout the home as well. Several pocket doors pepper the first floor almost whimsically, a reminder of another era.

A walk upstairs means a bird’s eye view of downtown from the home’s incredible, castleesque turret. “It’s amazing to be out here when the trees are full of leaves,” Dustin Blake shared.

“It’s almost like being in a jungle because you are so high up,” Lauren Blake added. “It’s incredibly private and peaceful. We can look out over the park and the city, and even see the fireworks.”

Residing in this location isn’t something the Blakes take for granted, either. “I love living here because of the walkability and the feeling of nostalgia. Every house in the Village is different, there’s nothing cookie cutter here,” she added

Dustin also believes that the convenience of being able to make a quick trip from his office to take their kids to the park can’t be beat. “I love the fact that we’re downtown, with all these great restaurants and shops, but that it still feels like a cozy neighborhood,” he said.

↑ Home owners Dustin and Lauren Blake

↑ The unique exterior

↑ Skyline views

And still, there’s no shortage of projects to be completed at The Kremer House. Currently the kitchen is being renovated, along with the lowest level. A space where coal deliveries used to drop from the street into the basement will be transformed into a wine cellar.

Consultations with a landscaper have started for improvements to the yard, along with working with architects to create a carriage house garage.

But there’s no rush, Dustin Blake said. “It’s such a big project, I think if we implemented a timeline it would just feel frustrating.”

Living here holds special meaning for Lauren, who was raised in German Village. “I’ve always known this house, always loved this house. I’ve grown up loving this house. I think everyone in the Village knows it, so being here has brought it full circle,” she said.♦