A story published in the book, Columbus Ghosts II by Robin Smith in 2003, tells a story by Joy Schmitt about a ghostly figure at Grove City’s downtown Little Theatre off Broadway. Schmitt and others said they had heard steps, slamming doors and other unusual unexplained sounds inside the old building. In 1978, while sitting in the auditorium she heard a crashing sound near the stage area. Moments later, a similar sound occurred from above. She searched the building and found nothing out of place. Schmitt also admitted she once saw the hem of a dress of a ghostly figure moving silently in the building. Others reported seeing the reflection of a woman in a high-necked blouse and skirt standing in the doorway at the top of the stairs. Schmitt believed the LTOB ghostly figure might be Ethel King, the blind daughter of the woman who built the Kingdom Theatre in 1916.

Historical references indicate William Foster Breck may have played a role in the construction of the old hotel and saloon in the Grove City Town Center, known best today as Plank’s on Broadway. The hotel was built by William Blackburn in 1854, two years after Breck created the village in 1852. Breck had a history with hotel operations and viewed such a business as important to the town. He built and operated the first hotel in Carroll, Ohio that was located on the Ohio Erie Canal. He was a prominent businessman in that community building and operating a large grain warehouse and a mercantile before relocating to Jackson Township in the late 1840s. The earliest known operators of the Grove City hotel and saloon were Alexander Frankenburg, John Douglas, T. E. Booth, Jack Goldsmith, John Corilius, Dude Strife, Unknown Jones, William Voelkel Sr., and Joseph Enders. When Dick Robinson purchased the business, he renamed it the Charlie Enders Saloon. In 1994, Bill Plank, as senior partner, purchased the business and opened Plank’s on Broadway.

We’ve got a super-sided event this weekend for America250!

Join us 10a-5p, Saturday, June 6 in Fryer Park, 4185 Orders Road for our annual Heritage and Veterans Celebration. Bring the family to experience a taste of everyday life in an Ohio farm community in the late 1800s through building tours and demonstrations as history comes to life among the buildings of Century Village. There will also be a classic car show next to the village, provided by co-sponsor Bob Traphagen of the Central Ohio Military Museum, starting at 10a. The Village buildings open at noon, and bluegrass bands will be performing.

We’ve got a super-sided event this weekend for America250!

Join us 10a-5p, Saturday, June 6 in Fryer Park, 4185 Orders Road for our annual Heritage and Veterans Celebration. Bring the family to experience a taste of everyday life in an Ohio farm community in the late 1800s through building tours and demonstrations as history comes to life among the buildings of Century Village. There will also be a classic car show next to the village, provided by co-sponsor Bob Traphagen of the Central Ohio Military Museum, starting at 10a. The Village buildings open at noon, and bluegrass bands will be performing.

Did you know Grove City once was one of Central Ohio’s first entertainment destinations? Frank Sinatra and Bill Cosby were among the first national entertainers to perform here. It started in 1973 with Musicpark and later in 1990 with Capital Music Center. Many acts visited Grove City including Eric Clapton and Friends, the Temptations, Four Tops, Michael Bolton, Huey Lewis & the News, Roger Miller, Kenny G, Doobie Brothers, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Wayne Newton, Barbara Mandrell and Guns & Roses. The Grateful Dead were slated to perform in a 3-day weekend event but that show was cancelled because of safety concerns.