How 50 maps are telling the story of Columbus
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Columbus Underground's Brent Warren has just published his first book. Photos: Courtesy of Brent Warren and Belt Publishing
As newcomers pour into Columbus and longtime residents keep debating its identity, a local writer's new book aims to give us all a sense of place.
Why it matters: "Columbus in 50 Maps" offers a unique visual way to explore and appreciate our city's history at a time when things are constantly growing and changing.
How it works: Columbus Underground's Brent Warren teamed up with cartographer Vicky Johnson-Dahl to produce the 112-page book, which was released this month.
- Each map includes a short summary of insightful context only a local could provide.
The big picture: It's the latest installment in Cleveland-based Belt Publishing's "50 Maps" series, which also has highlighted Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Pittsburgh and the Great Lakes.
What's inside: The book maps out Columbus' sprawling borders over time, its 25 tallest downtown buildings and its rich diversity. It also pinpoints every place named Columbus in the U.S.
- Other maps detail serious history, like since-destroyed Native American mounds and the impacts of redlining on Black neighborhoods.
- But there are also fun, unexpected visuals, like all the tailgating spots surrounding the 'Shoe, every area bookstore and library, and a taco truck census.
The intrigue: It even features a "Put Us on the Map" map — a tongue-in-cheek showcase of several grandiose (and largely unsuccessful) attempts to boost national awareness of Columbus in the '80s and '90s, when Warren grew up.
- That includes AmeriFlora '92, the Columbus 500 downtown race and efforts to place a massive Christopher Columbus statue.
What he's saying: Warren tells Axios our city is more than just "a new slogan or a nickname," noting that our culture, population and reputation all keep growing naturally, without gimmicks.
The bottom line: "Columbus is a place with a lot of stories," he says, "and I hope people can gain an appreciation of that from the book."
Pick up a copy: It's around $30 from most sites or bookshops, or reserve one from the library.
