1990-1999 Life In Columbus/Bartholomew County

[David Sechrest]

Most of this decade I missed, as I moved back to Columbus to "stay" sometime around 1997. Sheesh! It's hard to believe it's been almost 10 years!

It was somewhat peculiar moving back to Columbus after 27 years. I searched for pieces of my past, only to find that many had disappeared entirely.

Not only had Columbus changed, but so had I. The days of cruising 25th Street with my high school buddies, and hanging out at the A&W and Jerry's were nothing more than just fleeting glimpses of another time and another me.

Instead of sitting in the A&W with my buddies, I now sat in the parking lot with my kids and told them about those high school days as we ate chili-cheese dogs and sipped on our root beers. We cruised through the old neighborhood in East Columbus and I told them about growing up on Center Street, but Center Street was no longer a street from my childhood. No Russell's Grocery...no bayou on the other side of the railroad tracks...the choir of thoughts from my childhood no longer recognized the songs on the page...

We strolled along Washington Street on our way to the playground inside the Commons Mall. We stopped in Zaharako's and, once again, like a scratched record, I told them about the downtown and Zaharako's and a time when I was their age. The light in their eyes shone different than mine. I tried to tap into it, but it was like tapping on a door where no one is home...

We hung out at Mill Race Park. I told them what things were like before the park and we had fun playing around the covered bridge (and yes, more stories).

Moving back to Columbus was a bitter-sweet experience. It's taken me 10 years to see how I fit into this Columbus.

I think it's finally coming around...

[Babs]

David,
We are mighty glad you did move back to Columbus. We would not have this marvelous board to post our memories on if you had not done so.

Hope things are going well for you and that you are feeling much better.

Yes, it is strange to return to one's hometown after a long absence. We returned after over 25 years and things seemed different to me as well but it has become more normal to me after being back for over 6 years now.

Thanks again for starting this wonderful historic board. :-)

[mfaure]

I just noticed something interesting!! An awfully lot of the postings on the board are from people who have left Columbus for what ever reason and come back with the exception of RER and Nanc. I too, left Columbus in 1977 lived two years in Waco, Tx then moved to Vicksburg, Miss. I truly loved Vicksburg but it like everyplace else has changed with 4 gambling boats there now. I met George in Vicksburg. Yes, I have me a southern gentleman. We came back to Columbus in 1991.

I don't think you notice the change so much if you haven't been gone for awhile. Columbus, in many ways has changed for the best which is not always the case.

With all that's going on both in the U S and abroad, the future looks pretty scary at times. Many times I wish we could go back. Remember, sitting on Washington St. outside Kitzingers' on a Saturday night. That's where family and friends came together to comisserate about how bad things were. Then I think - no bathroom - no phone - no t v and worst of all no air-conditioning. If your family was lucky enough to have a car, there was only one. No one I knew had more than one.

Also, easier yet to remember because it was like just yesterday, was B C . (before computers)

gotta go pay some bills
Margie

[RER]

" The Article I Wrote In The Columbus Republic Newspaper December 14, 1999 "

Preserving History

I was born and raised in Columbus and now I reside in South Carolina. In the southern states various laws protect the South's buildings and structures, so the people from Indiana and Ohio may come on vacation and enjoy the history.

Charleston's horse and carriage rides take you through the historically preserved areas to reflect on the early settlers and their wealth and distinctions. Southern states became attuned early that historical locations and landmarks deserve preservation for the future generation's enjoyment.

I recently learned that Columbus was about to make a terrible step back-wards to allow modern architecture to replace the wonderful structures of the Central Middle School, and the old Pearl Street Gym. What a horrible thought to destroy such beautifully designed buildings, and let the history of them pass into the back wall books of the library.

My grandparents, aunts, uncles, brother and myself used those facilities and some taught for many years. My relatives, friends and others used the grand facilities for education and sports. If only the Pearl Street Gym could talk, what a story it could tell.

Many activities, basketball and swimming events and people passed through those doors. What a sad day when it's destroyed as well as the adjacent school walls.

When I return to Columbus periodically, I always drive by all the old structures and think of the many years, events and enjoyment that took place there.

Now, part of history that Columbus could have preserved is lost to the conversations of the present, but not any future ones. Maybe, Columbus needs to join the "southern way" and rethink preserving history. City officials need to think about retention of the past and not just modernizing beautiful Columbus.


Bob

[richard]

This was in today’s Looking Back column that The Republic runs each day.

From 1997, Demolition was completed on the Weinantz Food and Spirits Restaurant on Jonathan Moore Pike to enable the construction of a new Arby’s fast-food restaurant.

For those of you who have not been to Columbus for many years, Jonathan Moore Pike was SR 46 West. This restaurant was located a short distance west of I-65 on the north side of the road.

[richard]

The following information is from 1965 in the Looking Back feature in the August 21, 2015-edition of The Republic.