Columbus Navigator

Columbus Navigator Columbus Navigator exists to showcase everything that makes Columbus special. We believe great cities are where change happens, and where society is advanced.

And we believe Columbus is a great city.

🏈 An aerial shot of a very new Ohio Stadium, taken by the United States Army Air Force in the early 1920s as part of the...
10/09/2025

🏈 An aerial shot of a very new Ohio Stadium, taken by the United States Army Air Force in the early 1920s as part of the War Department's efforts to document American airscapes.

🚁 A 1980 aerial view of I-70 as it passes over Alum Creek.The sign visible in the middle right marks the U.S. Route 33 e...
10/08/2025

🚁 A 1980 aerial view of I-70 as it passes over Alum Creek.

The sign visible in the middle right marks the U.S. Route 33 exit to Lancaster.

🚁 An aerial view of downtown Columbus, taken around 2000 or 2001.I-70/71 can be seen at the bottom, along with East Main...
10/08/2025

🚁 An aerial view of downtown Columbus, taken around 2000 or 2001.

I-70/71 can be seen at the bottom, along with East Main Street. Construction on the Ohio State Teachers Retirement System building can be seen in the top middle.

🏗 Downtown Columbus, as it looked in 1904.The Scioto River is featured, as it appeared near the State Street Bridge. In ...
10/08/2025

🏗 Downtown Columbus, as it looked in 1904.

The Scioto River is featured, as it appeared near the State Street Bridge. In the background, construction can be viewed, possibly of the Wheeler Building or the New Hayden Building.

🏥 A much smaller Columbus Children's Hospital complex, as it looked in 1978.East Livingston Ave. runs from the lower rig...
10/08/2025

🏥 A much smaller Columbus Children's Hospital complex, as it looked in 1978.

East Livingston Ave. runs from the lower right to the upper right and Parson Ave. runs through the bottom of the photo.

Children's Hospital's name was later changed to Nationwide Children's Hospital in 2007 after a $50 million donation by the insurance company.

⚾️ A 1934 aerial view of a busy portion of Columbus.Neil Park, the stadium where the Columbus Redbirds played before mov...
10/08/2025

⚾️ A 1934 aerial view of a busy portion of Columbus.

Neil Park, the stadium where the Columbus Redbirds played before moving to Cooper Stadium, can be seen middle-left. Fort Hayes can be seen at the very lower left.

🍽 Three views of the legendary Jai Lai Cafe in its prime.More Jai Lai Cafe history:🍽 The restaurant opened in February ...
10/07/2025

🍽 Three views of the legendary Jai Lai Cafe in its prime.

More Jai Lai Cafe history:

🍽 The restaurant opened in February 1933 at 581 N. High Street as a small hole-in-the-wall saloon, just days after Prohibition ended.

🍽 Founder Jasper Wottring borrowed $1,500 to open the establishment and named it after the Jai Lai Club of New Orleans.

🍽 The original location started with a simple sign advertising "Genuine Turtle Soup" and gradually expanded to occupy three adjacent spaces.

🍽 In 1955, the restaurant relocated to Olentangy River Road, becoming the largest restaurant in Columbus with a 9,000-square-foot building.

🍽 At its peak, the Jai Lai employed over 150 staff members, including waiters, chefs, busboys, housekeepers, and valets.

🍽 The restaurant could serve over 1,000 people when utilizing its basement "Sazarac" and "New Orleans" rooms.

🍽 It was famous for two signature items: Prime Rib and Salt Rolls with Herb Butter - recipes that are still revered today.

🍽 In the mid-1980s, renowned interior decorator Coburn Morgan redesigned the space, creating a connection with another Columbus landmark, the Kahiki.

🍽 The restaurant remained in the family business, with Dave Girves becoming the sole owner in 1986.

🍽 After struggling with traffic disruptions from freeway construction along 315, the beloved restaurant finally closed its doors in 1996, ending a 63-year legacy in Columbus.

⛽️ A 1976 view of a Morse Rd. Sohio gas station. Visible in the photo are a Columbus police cruiser at the gas pumps and...
10/07/2025

⛽️ A 1976 view of a Morse Rd. Sohio gas station.

Visible in the photo are a Columbus police cruiser at the gas pumps and, in the distance, a sign for a "Hi-Fy" Gas Station.

🚙 James Road, on the east side of Columbus just north of Livingston Avenue, as it looked 75 years ago.This 1950 photo wa...
10/07/2025

🚙 James Road, on the east side of Columbus just north of Livingston Avenue, as it looked 75 years ago.

This 1950 photo was taken to show road surface conditions prior to new sewer construction.

🧱 A 1950 view of Columbus' German Village. The intersection seen is East Beck and Mohawk, and the corner store is Daeuml...
10/07/2025

🧱 A 1950 view of Columbus' German Village. The intersection seen is East Beck and Mohawk, and the corner store is Daeumler's Food Mart.

🏈 Ohio Stadium, as it stood in the 1980's.
10/07/2025

🏈 Ohio Stadium, as it stood in the 1980's.

🛍 Northland Mall, as it looked in 1984. Visible stores include Lerner Shops and The Limited.
10/07/2025

🛍 Northland Mall, as it looked in 1984. Visible stores include Lerner Shops and The Limited.

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