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1955 Map of Southwest Columbus

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Southwest Columbus
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

The Scioto River snakes through the heart of Franklin County, defining a mid-century landscape of heavy industry, state institutions, and expanding neighborhoods. The urban core of Columbus is marked by significant landmarks like the Ohio State Penitentiary and the expansive grounds of the Columbus State Hospital. To the south and west, the map captures the transition from dense city wards to suburbanizing areas such as Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington.

Transport corridors like the Pennsylvania RR and Baltimore and Ohio RR underscore the area's rail-dependent economy. Smaller settlements and historic enclaves including San Margherita, Urbancrest, and Grove City are visible alongside specialized locations like Sullivant Airport and the Columbus Workhouse. This 1955 survey provides a clear view of the city just before the interstate era fundamentally changed the street grid and connectivity of these classic neighborhoods.