Apr 11, 2024 - News

New library archive lets you go back in time

Tyler Buchanan

A photo of High Street in Columbus from 1905, with people walking down the street and sidewalk. — A new library archive of old Dispatch photos and reporting materials lets you go down the rabbit hole of Columbus history. Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Newspapers are said to be the first draft of history, and it's now easier than ever to look back at those drafts.

What's happening: The Dispatch and Columbus Metropolitan Library are working to digitize more of the newspaper's historical archives for public viewing.

State of play: Library cardholders have already been able to keyword-search articles dating all the way back to 1871.

The latest archives feature old photos, maps and even Dispatch cookbooks.
You can search that growing collection here.

Zoom in: It's fun to skip around to random pages and learn new things about our city's past:

🍿 The Borden Company, which manufactured Cracker Jack boxes, was once headquartered here.
🎥 The movie "Captain Eddie" featured the story of Eddie Rickenbacker, a local fighter pilot known for his exploits in World War I.
❤️ Bob Anderson received the region's first heart transplant in 1986 at University Hospitals.

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New library archive lets you go back in time

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