Friends of Goodale Park

I am beginning to think that Franklinton is deserted. Where has everyone gone??

Let's chat...what is happening??

Hi Marc, I couldn't have said it better! Although I no longer live in Ohio, haven't for many years, I still think of Franklinton often. My roots go back very far in that area. My ancestors came from Virginia in 1812 and carved out a homestead where Rickenbocker Air Field is now located. My grand parents had a home at Town and McDowell st.  Many of my relatives lived in Franklinton up into the 50's when things started deteriorating. I went into the military in '57 and ended up retiring up in the North west. Have visited the area a few times over the years and didn't like what I saw. As kids we played in the alley ways around Rich street, Town street and McDowell without a concern for criminals or gangs. We played up on the river bank all along the Scioto river and at times saw an occasional drunk lying around but that was it. The last time I was there I didn't feel safe at all. I tried to walk up on the river bank but good common sense told me not to get out of the car due to the looks I was getting. As kids we'd walk over to Lazarus during the holidays and walk up and down High street to look at all of the displays, it was beautiful and people were nice. It is indeed sad to see what a once great city has been turned into. But I guess we could say that about many other once great cities. I really fear for the future of our country and for the coming generations. They will never have the opportunity to experience the fun of growing up in a neighborhood where people all knew each other and sat out on their porches in the summer and enjoyed doing so. I don't see that situation ever coming back again. The suburbs may be a place to try to hide, but for the kids, they are missing out on what it's like to enjoy being a kid.

Hi Shoafie!!

Good to hear from you again. I pop into this board from time to time to see if there has been any activity. I haven't been to Franklinton for a few months but will return to check things out. I am in the process of trading homes with one of  my sons and will be in the Grove City area in a week or two. I'll be just South of Frank Rd off of Brown Rd in a newer housing development.... that'll make it easier to check the old neighborhood.

Hi Marc, I had family living just between Brown Road and what we used to call the 3-C Hghway, Laurel Ave, Linnet Ave and Garling Ave. Many of my ancestors are buried right there in Greenlawn near Brown Road. Stinnet Road is named after pioneers who came to Ohio with my ancestors in 1812 and even inter married with them. The corner of Central Ave and the 3-C Highway and Mound street used to have a Drive in resturant named the Green Gables where all of the teens would cruise around and show off their hot rods in the 50's, That area was called Central Point shopping center and was pretty up scale for the time. By the way, Mound Street was named after indian mounds that were plentiful in that area.