San Margherita, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Margherita, OH
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Neighborhood in Columbus
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Franklin |
| City | Columbus |
| Zip Code |
43204
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| Area code(s) | 614 |
San Margherita is a neighborhood located just west of Columbus, Ohio. It's split between two areas called Norwich Township and Franklin Township. Italian immigrants first settled here in the early 1900s. They came to work for the Marble Cliff Quarry Company. San Margherita used to be a lively, country-like community. However, many of its original homes and local shops have been taken down.
Contents
History of San Margherita
San Margherita is found west of Columbus, across the Scioto River. Between 1880 and 1920, many Italian immigrants moved here. They worked at the nearby Marble Cliff Quarry. Most of these immigrants came from a town called Pettorano sul Gizio in the Abruzzo region of Italy. They named the area after their patron Saint Margaret of Cortona.
At first, the quarry gave workers small, simple homes. These were located along McKinley Avenue. Later, workers who earned more money built their own homes. These new houses were along the south side of Trabue Road.
Early Community Life
When it was first settled, San Margherita was not connected to Columbus by train. Because of this, people living there raised animals. They also grew some of their own food. The community was very close. Everyone shared the same language and traditions. They also shared their work and helped each other with problems.
This feeling of being separate made the residents want their own church. In 1921, thirteen families each promised $50. They also received a gift of land to start building. The first Saint Margaret of Cortona Church was built at 3388 Trabue Road. Later, a parish hall was added in 1936. The rectory, where the priest lives, was finished in 1955.
As more people joined the church, a bigger building was needed. In 1968, a new church with the same name was built. It is located at 1600 Hague Avenue.
Changes Over Time
Many homes were built along Trabue Road before World War II. After the war, more homes were built a few blocks south on Hague Avenue. This continued up to the site of the new Saint Margaret of Cortona Church. Since then, the neighborhood has changed a lot. Many families who lived there originally have moved away. They often moved to nearby places like Grandview Heights or Marble Cliff Village.
In 2003, the City of Columbus bought some homes and businesses. These included a gas station and a lounge. They were taken down to make Trabue Road wider. This helped to make traffic flow better.
In 2008, a company called The Robert Weiler Company bought a large piece of land. It was 10 acres at 3445 Trabue Road. The company wanted to build a shopping center there. They hoped it would have a supermarket. This center would serve both Upper Arlington and the West Side.
In 2017, another company bought part of the 607-acre Marble Cliff Quarry. They planned to clean up the land. Then they would build a mix of homes and shops. They also wanted to create a new Columbus Metro Park. The first part of this park opened in 2021.
Geography of San Margherita
The neighborhood is located between the Penn Central and Conrail train tracks. It follows Trabue Road and goes south to 1600 Hague Avenue. The area served by the Saint Margaret of Cortona Catholic Church is larger. It stretches north to Roberts Road, east to the Scioto River, south to Fisher Road, and west to Jones Road.
Important Places and Buildings
Saint Margaret of Cortona Catholic Church
The first church was at 3388 Trabue Road. Thirteen local families worked hard to build a church for their community. Most people in the area were Roman Catholic. Each family gave $50 for the building. Another local family donated the land, which was 2.2 acres. The church was built in 1921. Within five years, it was completely paid for.
A wooden parish hall was built in 1936. The rectory was finished in 1955. Starting in 1921, the church held a special three-day festival every July. This festival honored the patron saints from the residents' hometowns in Italy. It included a parade down Trabue Road. People carried statues of saints like St. Margaret, St. Anne, St. Lucy, St. Anthony, and St. Joseph. By the 1950s, the church's area stretched far. It went east to the Scioto River, west to Jones Road, north to Roberts Road, and south to Fisher Road.
As more people joined, a bigger church was needed. The new Saint Margaret of Cortona Church was built in 1968. It is located at 1600 Hague Avenue. In 1987, the old church at 3388 Trabue Road was sold. It was going to be taken down because it was old and not many people attended daily mass there. A church member bought it. He agreed that the church building itself would be taken down. Until it was gone, daily mass was held at the old church. Sunday mass and other big events were held at the new church. The yearly festival also moved to the Hague Avenue church. The parade changed to include a procession from the old church to the new one.
Today, Saint Margaret of Cortona Catholic Church serves about 600 families. Father Jeff Rimelspach is the current pastor. Deacon Andy Naporano is the presiding deacon.
Johnnie's Tavern
Johnnie's Tavern is at 3503 Trabue Road. It's a small place that you might miss if you blink! It serves burgers and sandwiches. It's open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 10 PM. Dominic "Johnnie" Lombardi started the tavern in 1946. His father was one of the first people to settle in San Margherita. The restaurant has a simple menu and serves draft beers.
Marble Cliff Quarry
People started quarrying, or digging for stone, here as early as 1851. But it became much bigger in 1892. That's when Sylvio A. Casparis arrived. His company later joined with three others to form Marble Cliff Quarries. At one point, this company employed as many as 500 men. Some parts of the original quarry are still used today by another company. The rest of the quarry has been filled in. It is now used for homes, like the Marble Cliff Commons apartments. There's also Marble Cliff Crossing, a neighborhood built between 1998 and 2003.
In 2017, Thrive Companies bought the 600-acre quarry site. They turned 220 acres into a Columbus Metro Park. They also planned to build apartments, townhomes, condos, and shops. On November 30, 2021, the first part of the 225-acre Quarry Trails Metro Park opened to the public.
Homes in San Margherita
The homes along Trabue Road sit on large lots. These lots are about one acre each. The big backyards were used to grow vegetables. People also grew grapes in small vineyards. Early residents raised chickens and pigs. They would help their neighbors during harvest times. About two dozen of the original homes are still standing on Trabue Road today.
Images for kids
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The original Saint Margaret of Cortona Catholic Church, viewed from the front on 3388 Trabue Rd
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The original St. Margaret of Cortona Catholic Church in the winter of 1968
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The new St. Margaret of Cortona Church, viewed from its front at 1600 Hague Ave
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St. Margaret's festival was held even before the construction of the original church, and has always included a procession down Trabue Rd, carrying statues of Italian patron saints
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Saint Margaret of Cortona parish festival procession from the Trabue Rd church to the Hague Ave site
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The San Margherita Market
