Mount Vernon (Columbus, Ohio) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Vernon
Neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio
The Macon Hotel
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Franklin
City	Columbus

Mount Vernon is a historic neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. It is mainly home to African-American families. This area is part of the larger Near East Side community. It is located north of King-Lincoln Bronzeville.

The neighborhood is bordered by major highways like I-71 and I-670. Its main streets are Mount Vernon Avenue, Long Street, Atcheson Street, and Champion Avenue. These streets help define the neighborhood's boundaries.

History of Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is named after Mount Vernon Avenue. This street was once the busy center of the neighborhood's economy. From the 1800s until the 1970s, this area was home to many Black families and businesses. There were all kinds of shops and services along the avenue.

During a time when Black communities faced segregation, people in Mount Vernon were able to support themselves. They had many businesses and services within their own neighborhood. This helped the community thrive.

Changes Over Time

Starting in the 1950s, new highways were built in Columbus. These highways, or interstates, cut through parts of the Mount Vernon neighborhood. They also took up a lot of land. This forced many families and businesses to move. Because of these changes, many buildings became empty. This led to a decline in the neighborhood's overall health and economy.

Important Places in Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon has several interesting places. These include historic homes and large apartment buildings.

The Leonard Pearl Henderson House

The Leonard Pearl Henderson House is a historically important house in the neighborhood. It is located near an Ohio State University medical center. In 2023, there was a plan to tear down this old building.

Latitude Five25 Apartments

The neighborhood also has a large apartment complex called Latitude Five25. This complex used to be a public housing project known as Sawyer Towers. In 2009, it became a private property and was renamed Skyview Towers. It changed owners two more times after that.

By 2023, the building had many problems and was not being properly maintained. The city tried to make the owners pay for necessary repairs. Eventually, the towers were declared unsafe for people to live in. This meant all the residents had to move out.

Gallery

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  Historical marker

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  Former Engine House No. 8

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  The Vernon (later Cameo) Theatre, 1914

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  The Felton School

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  Mt. Vernon Avenue in 1922; the East End Market House is at the right

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  Mt. Vernon post office

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  Saint Dominic Catholic Church

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  Refuge Baptist Church

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  Mount Vernon, part of the shaded area redeveloped in the 1950s