Nov 15, 2023 - History

A Columbus-area history tour begins with a burger

Over the course of eight years, I traveled around the state photographing the sites of Ohio's 88 county bicentennial barns.

The project led me to explore areas of Ohio I had never been to before, including cities and countrysides.

What's happening: As a new travel challenge, I've decided to visit all 121 (and counting) Ohio Historical Markers located in Franklin County.

The (first) marker: The site of the first Wendy's restaurant, 257 E. Broad St., Columbus.

Dave Thomas opened his first location here in 1969.
It closed in 2007, with pieces of Wendy's memorabilia moved to the chain's corporate headquarters in Dublin. Now, the building houses The Catholic Foundation of Ohio.

The intrigue: This has to be the only historical marker in Ohio with the phrase "hot 'n juicy hamburger."

Editor's note: This story first published in the Axios Columbus newsletter on Oct. 21, 2021.

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