Worthington Tour of Homes & Gardens: Colonial Hills
This year the Worthington Historical Society is excited to present homes from Colonial Hills on our Tour of Homes & Gardens. The neighborhood, beloved by so many residents past and present, has a fascinating history.
Originally platted in 1927, the Depression slowed progress, and the development didn’t take off until the Federal Government financed the project in 1941 through the Defense Homes Corporation. Architect Todd Tibbals, a young man from Columbus, designed the nine house plans that were replicated through the first 200 homes built throughout. The DHC was created to supply housing for workers involved in war industries in areas where shortages existed. With the Curtis Wright Aviation Company in the vicinity, “Colonial Hills and Dales” was chosen as the ideal site to build homes to be used as rentals during the war. This first phase of 200 homes was budgeted at $1,250,000.
Homes were partially prefabricated by American Homes, Inc. in New York and brought to Worthington on the New York Central Railroad to be assembled on site. In the interest of speed, the development was one of the first in the nation to use sheetrock instead of plaster walls. Construction began in January 1942, and the first 58 homes were occupied by the spring of 1943. The government’s construction project spurred private development in the area and by the 1950s, 740 homes were built.
This year’s tour will highlight the evolution of the neighborhood; there will be examples of both the first phase development in the 1940's to the last phase construction in the 1950's. From a scenic view of Rush Creek, lush gardens, homes with extensive renovations and one home owned by the same family since it was built in 1942, this tour offers a unique view into life in Colonial Hills.
Advance sale tickets, $15, at The Shop at the Old Rectory and Fritzy Jacobs
Day of Tour ticket purchases, $20, (SELBY PARK SHELTER HOUSE ONLY).
All Ticket Sales are Cash or Check Only.