McFerson Commons Park

One of Columbus’s most historic sites, this park and the immediate blocks bordering Neil Ave northward to 670, West Spring Street on the south and along the eastern border of the park proper, once contained the oldest Penitentiary in the state of Ohio, and the sixth oldest in the nation until it was demolished in the 1990’s. The electric chair was known as “old Sparky”, and the facility was known as the most complete in its rehabilitation programs. On the night of April 22,1930, what is still known as the worst disaster ever to happen at a U.S. state prison, a fire broke out and raged through two buildings, killing over 317 inmates and injuring over 130 more. It is an event that shook the city and prompted modern fire prevention sprinklers and fire doors to be updated in all prison facilities across the country. By the 1980’s, the facility was too outdated, having been originally built in the 1830’s and added onto many times, and it’s many years of nonstop usage had taken its toll. A brief consideration was entertained to turn the property into a mixed use retail and hotel convention destination, but hazardous materials and chemicals required the land be cleared completely and decontaminated before any use could be found for it again. As the historic buildings were demolished, a plan was made to reconstruct the single remaining archway once belonging to the Union Station which had been demolished a few years earlier even though there had been a fight to save it. The reconstructed arch stands in testimony and in tribute to all the beautiful and historic buildings that graced this city in times past, and reminds us to pay attention, look around, notice details and stories hidden in the facades and windows of those that are left. For if you’re not looking or paying attention, they’re likely to disappear as well.