University District History

Spent Sunday afternoon down at Greenlawn Cemetery on the Southside. It’s the city’s largest burying ground and final resting place for over 150,000 Columbusites, including a good selection of city notables. Despite the presence of governors, bankers, senators, generals, inventors, writers, murderers, and WWI aces, the celebrity of the cemetery is this youngster.

George Blount, age 5, perished in 1873 when he fell down the stairs at the American Hotel and struck his head. This is his grave marker, probably the best known in the 360 acre necropolis.

For at least the past 20 years, unknown parties have been decorating his grave and leaving offerings. In winter, someone puts on a hat and scarf. A Santa hat and stocking appear around Christmas. For his birthday, he receives a party hat. In summer, sunglasses. All year round, small toys and candy are left at the grave.

Looks like some one made an offering recently. I see he has a Captain America action figure.

Sheet music for “Under the Midnight Moon,” a pop song from 1913. This is the sort of tune the original inhabitants of the University District home you’re living in now might have enjoyed.

Slightly saucy lyrics for the day:

Honey dear, cuddle near,

Don’t you know it’s nearly midnight.

And it’s time for caressing, squeezing, and pressing. Secrets confessing.

Kiss me now and then,

Hold me tight, love me right.

Making love is so much sweeter, Honey,

Under the moonlight, beautiful spoonlight.

Dearie, you know when…

Under the midnight moon…

Lyrics by Al Durbin (1891-1945) who was a big hit-maker in the 1930s. “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “We’re In the Money,” and “Lullaby of Broadway” were all his.

The moon on this looks downright lascivious as he spies on the couple.

Food stands come and food stands go but the University District’s Maynard Ave. United Methodist Church has been selling quality meals at the fair since 1916!  The restaurant is open 24-7 during the fair and provides food and friendship to carnies, show people, fair staff, Highway Patrolmen, and farm families showing animals at the fair.

I was saddened to learn last week that, after 96 years, the church will not be operating their restaurant at the Ohio State Fair this summer. End of an era.

Here’s a view of the food stand in 2011, being serenaded by another Ohio State Fair institution, The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Band.

Maynard Methodist is one of the few University District churches from the early 20th Century to have survived into the 21st. Here’s their church on the corner of Maynard and Indianola.

You really can find everything at the flea market.