German Village

German Village is a historic neighborhoodjust south of downtown Columbus, Ohio. Initially platted in 1814 in Columbus's South End, the German Village area primarily developed between 1840 and 1914. It was settled largely by German immigrants in the mid 1800s. German descendants at one time comprised as much as a third of the population of the entire city of Columbus.

German immigrants who arrived in the South End in the 1850s immediately felt at home: people spoke German in the stores, schools, and churches; their homes were solid yet unpretentious. After work, bakers, stonecutters, storekeepers, carpenters, tanners, bricklayers, and brewery workers relaxed in nearby bier gartens. Most belonged to gymnastic and singing societies. This simple, yet distinctive working-class neighborhood was a little bit of Germany.

Origins

In 1796, Congress appropriated the Refugee Lands for individuals who had supported the Colonial cause in the American Revolution. By 1802, an American Revolution veteran named John McGowan claimed 328 acres, most of what would become the German Village. As German immigrants arrived, McGowan sold tracts of land to them. By 1814, the German Village found its roots, originally called "die alte sud ende" (the old south end), and German immigrants contributed to building the first statehouse.

German Immigration

By 1830, massive German immigration to the city had occurred. These South Enders had little time or money for extras. As the local newspaper, "Der Westbote," described in 1855: "The people who live in these small houses work very hard. You will not find silver on the doors, but you will find many little gardens which produce vegetables for the city's market. You will not find silk or other very expensive things; but the houses are very clean, the people work hard, and are very healthy, and they are very happy."

Early residents built their homes and businesses in the north and west sides of the Village, in the vicinity of City Park, Third Street, and Livingston Avenue. Many German immigrants served in the American Civil War, thus gaining the universal respect of the local citizens. By 1865, one-third of Columbus's population was German and the community was flourishing. They built up the local neighborhood, including many businesses, schools and churches. The schools were so superior that English-speaking residents of Columbus chose to attend them. German-American George Karb would become mayor of the city, twice, at the end of the 19th century, and again in the early 20th century.

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