Columbus Metropolitan Library

It’s believed to be the oldest home in the county still on its original foundation – and the first post office in Franklinton 🏡

It was built around 1807 by David Deardurff, one of the earliest settlers in the neighborhood. Before it opened, the closest post office was in Chillicothe, a dangerous three-day ride on horseback.

A 13-year-old boy named Andrew McElvain became the area’s first mail carrier, delivering mail to the house once a week. Later, David Deardurff’s father Abraham was robbed and killed while delivering mail in 1815. His riderless horse returned to Franklinton on its own. The post office operated until 1834.

The home has changed over the years. Its roof and siding have been modified, as the original exterior would have exposed its hand-hewn logs. The lean-to on the east side of the structure was added around 1860.

The building was purchased in the 1970s by Lois and Walt Reiner, who planned to restore it. Walt died in 2018, and the home remains in a family trust.

Today, the nearly 226-year-old home remains on its original foundation on Gift Street, named for the land Lucas Sullivant gave away to attract Franklinton’s earliest settlers.

❗️ CORRECTION – An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that Lois Reiner, wife of Walt Reiner, died in 2025. In fact, another person named Lois Reiner died that year, and the death was mistakenly attributed.

Rumor has it, the bird was looking for a copy of "The Raven", but settled on "The Maltese Falcon" instead.

Next time you visit the Hilltop Branch, keep an eye out for this Cooper's Hawk! 😮

Happy Friday! Are you reading something good? Share it in the comments, or take inspiration from these Staff Picks 😎

📕 Prophet Song by Paul Lynch (Rachel, Northside Branch)

📗 They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib (Patrick, MLK Branch)

📘 Severance by Ling Ma (Hayes, Linden Branch)

📙 Trust by Hernan Diaz (Jeremy, Canal Wi******er Branch)

The BIG BOOK SALE is back! 🥳 We're giving our discarded library items a second chance at a well-read life from Oct. 15-18 at Main Library.

$1 – Children's Books, Vinyl Records, Comics
$2 – Adult Fiction & Nonfiction
$3 – DVDs, CDs, and Audiobooks

Thursday, October 15 | 4-7 p.m. (members only)
Friday, October 16 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, October 18 | 1-4 p.m. (bag sale)

Revenue will support library programs and services and help fund future library levy campaigns via Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Find more details in the comments ⬇️

HOMETOWN HERO 🤩 Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka BlackForager) packed the house at Main Library!

Columbus, Ohio: the home of White Castle 🍔➡️

The restaurant was founded in Kansas, but it quickly made its way to Ohio. Columbus became its headquarters, where it remains today.

In 1921, Wichita cook Walt Anderson met a businessman named Billy Ingram. They opened their first restaurant together, and soon after, they incorporated it as the “White Castle System of Eating Houses Corporation”.

In 1933, Anderson sold his half of the business and Ingram moved its headquarters to Columbus. They chose the city because it was “ideally located geographically”, and “offers an ideal set of living conditions with its schools, its splendid homes, its hospitable citizenry and its general atmosphere…”

Pictured here is the Clintonville location, which opened in 1929. The original building was replaced in the 1950s, a drive-thru was added in 1980, and the restaurant was rebuilt again in 1986.

This photo was taken in 1976, as a Chevy Camaro pulls onto High Street. Other businesses shown include Shell, Exxon, and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

After 81 years of service, the Clintonville location closed in 2010. The White Castle (and neighboring Patrick J’s) have since been demolished, leaving the site vacant.

Today, White Castle operates more than a dozen locations in central Ohio. Its headquarters remains in Columbus, located just off 670 and 315.

📍 N. High St. & Arcadia Ave.
📸 Photo c. 1976 courtesy David Lucas Collection.

Friday is here! Are you reading something special? 😎 Find one in the comments, or from our library staff:

📕 Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Cameron, Southeast Branch)

📗 Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (Minuet, Driving Park Branch)

📘 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews (Shannon, Dublin Branch)

The library was closed… A feeling we can all understand 😭

Braxton’s reaction went viral on TikTok this week, racking up more than 300,000 views. Dozens of comments asked us to step in – so the Whetstone Branch teamed up to put a smile back on the two-year-old's face.

On Braxton's next visit, he received a special gift bag filled with books about his favorite subjects, stickers, toys, and a note for our #1 Library Fan – our treat for inspiring so much library love ❤️