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Few suburbs can claim to have helped change the Constitution, but Westerville can: in the early 1900s this town on Alum Creek, northeast of Columbus, was headquarters of the Anti-Saloon League, the force behind national Prohibition. It grew around Otterbein University, founded in 1847, and its historic center, known locally as Uptown, still feels like a small college town with brick storefronts, cafes and local shops.
That era earned Westerville the nickname Dry Capital of the World, and the league's story is told at a museum in the Westerville Public Library. The Hanby House remembers composer Benjamin Hanby, who wrote Up on the Housetop, and his family's role on the Underground Railroad.
The city is also known for green space. Inniswood Metro Gardens has themed gardens and woodland paths, Sharon Woods Metro Park has a lake and deer, and Hoover Reservoir and Alum Creek State Park nearby offer boating, birding and beaches. Downtown Columbus is about 25 minutes away.
A Columbus Metro Parks garden with herb, rose, rock and woodland gardens, plus the Sisters' Garden with a treehouse and storybook spaces for children. Paved paths lead to quiet woods and wetlands. Admission is free; visit in spring for daffodils and bulbs, or June for roses.
A large metro park on the southwest side of Westerville with Schrock Lake for fishing, picnic areas, playgrounds and easy paved and gravel trails through old woods and meadows. White-tailed deer are often seen near the trails at dusk. It is free and a good stop for families with young kids.
The historic heart of Westerville along State Street and Main Street, lined with 19th-century brick buildings now home to independent shops, cafes, restaurants and ice cream parlors. The area hosts First Friday events and summer festivals. Park in the public lots and walk over to the Otterbein campus.
Founded in 1847, Otterbein was one of the first colleges in the country to admit women and students of color from the start. Its tree-shaded campus is centered on Towers Hall, a red brick landmark with a tall clock tower. Visitors can stroll the grounds and catch theatre and music performances during the school year.
Housed in the Westerville Public Library, this museum tells the story of the Anti-Saloon League, which was based in Westerville and led the drive for national Prohibition. Displays include posters, pamphlets and printing equipment from its huge publishing operation. Admission is free; check library hours.
The restored home of Benjamin Hanby, composer of the Christmas song Up on the Housetop and the anti-slavery ballad Darling Nelly Gray. His family's house was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Guided tours show period furnishings and the family's story. It opens on limited days, mainly in summer.
A restored 19th-century farmhouse and large wooden barn in Heritage Park, once part of a prosperous local farm. The city now uses the site for weddings, community events and seasonal programs, and visitors can walk the grounds and admire the architecture. Check the city events calendar for open days.
A long reservoir on Big Walnut Creek just east of Westerville, created by the Hoover Dam in the 1950s. It is popular for kayaking, sailing, fishing and birdwatching, and the Hoover Nature Preserve has boardwalks through wetlands. A paved walkway crosses the top of the dam with wide views over the water.
A large state park on Alum Creek Lake a short drive north of Westerville, with one of the biggest inland beaches in Ohio, boat ramps, a marina, campgrounds and miles of hiking, biking and horse trails. Swimming is popular in summer. Arrive early on hot weekends, as beach parking fills up.
Westerville's outdoor aquatic center in Highlands Park, with water slides, a lazy river, diving boards, a zero-depth area for small children and lap lanes. It is open during the summer season and is a favorite with local families. Day passes are sold at the gate; bring sunscreen and towels.
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Photo: Yinan Chen, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
Photo: Yinan Chen, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
