Walking across Galloway Avenue in the 1930s, Columbus, Ohio


In this imaginary journey I'm walking in Columbus, Ohio. Specifically, across Galloway Avenue at Mt. Vernon Street. At least that's what the sign says. That would be me there photobombing the picture that someone was taking of the billboard back there. I'm guessing I'm a teenager, or I may just be big for my age, and younger than that, or older, and youthful-looking. I really don't know. I'm just making this up so I can go time-traveling in this photo, which was taken for a commonplace reason, because of the advertising that you see in the background.

Hang on a sec, I'll see if I can explain. This photo was taken just to give proof to the nice people who were paying for the billboard that it was up, and visible. Yep, photographers used to go around and do that. Nowadays they're collected and posted on Duke University's site ROAD (Resource of Outdoor Advertising Descriptions) and they study them. Yes, that's a thing. But there won't be a test here, I'm doing this just for fun.



Duke says it's the 1930s, and I have no reason to doubt them. Those sure look like '30s vehicles to me! As for the billboard that says, "For a Presidential year", it's because the president all through the 1930s was Franklin Roosevelt, and he liked to get on the radio and just talk. He called it a "fireside chat", and people loved it, and loved him. But let's take a closer look at the Cotton Club.


Yeah, there were Cotton Clubs in lots of cities, not just New York. Looks like it says, "Washington Cotton Club Anniversary __ek" Door prizes, new show, fun for all. They also list whiskey, wine, gin, and brandy. Yes, of course this is after Repeal, which was '33.


If it wasn't the 1930s I'd think the guy on the right was looking at his cell phone, and his friend telling him to come along, but I guess we'll never know. Maybe he's looking at his wallet?

By the way, for those of you who are familiar with Columbus, Ohio, this is Mt. Vernon Avenue and 17th Street. My top history adventurer did the research to find this exact location, and I wouldn't have believed him if a couple of buildings there in the background didn't match up with the Google Street View. Here, I'll show you:


So if you could shed some light on this street naming mystery, I'd be much obliged! Anyway, back to the imaginary me walking in Columbus, Ohio in the 1930s.


No wait, I mean the young guy, not "Mr. White Moustache" back there on the left. And wow, look at those cars. And to think that I saw it on Galloway Avenue!


1922 Sanborn map

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