By Alicia Kelso

Westerville may not be a dry city anymore, but its place in the Prohibition movement is cemented into American history.

Much of its historical significance – both on a local and national scale – was facilitated among the residences of Westerville’s Temperance Row. The predominantly early 20th century residential neighborhood was home to many of the organizers and promoters of the Anti-Saloon League of America (ASLA) during the height of Prohibition.

Now, almost a full century later, the area is being recognized for its historical value, having been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service in early November. It joins 14 single National Register sites in the City of Westerville, but is the first district listed.

“Westerville has not had, before this, an area with this designation,” says Beth Weinhardt, local history coordinator. “We’ve had individual places and houses, but to have an entire district is very important. We’re very proud to have this designation for our community, and rightfully so.”

The neighborhood – which is lined by West Park, South Grove, West Walnut and University Streets – includes 27 architecturally consistent houses, one six-unit row house apartment building and 10 garages where much of the country’s Anti-Saloon organizational efforts began.

To qualify for such recognition, the entity – in this case the entire district – must prove its historic significance on both the local and state level, and must still contain uncompromised and original architecture. Temperance Row was also designated as a place of national significance, an honor given to about 10 percent of National Register sites.

There were 18 representatives from Westerville at the state meeting to get Temperance Row pushed to next step of national consideration.

“It was really great for the city to have this many people there to represent this effort, “says Bill Merriman, Westerville Historical Society president. “City Manager David Collinsworth wrote a letter letting the panel know that placement on the National Register would help preserve the history of an unparalleled grassroots movement that marked Westerville as the Dry Capital of the World.”

Westerville earned that nickname in 1909 when it became the headquarters for the ASLA. Temperance Row was largely occupied by members of the league between 1910 and 1935.

The Temperance Movement stemmed from a rural church reform movement with the goal of reforming urban America, according to Merriman.

“They had this area, this district, with a pastoral, rural-like setting where they all lived. Like minds tend to gravitate toward each other. This group lived their lives and pursued their reform as neighbors,” he says.

The 11 acres of land in the district were originally purchased in 1909 by Purley A. Baker for development as a high-quality residential district; the first home was built there in 1910. The area developed throughout the next two decades with 20 homes owned by ASLA’s organizers and managers. By 1919, the crusaders achieved their objective of national Prohibition, which is still considered one of the most powerful grassroots political movements ever.

Architecturally, Temperance Row’s homes are mostly Craftsman style, reflecting the ideals of league owners and trends of the period. Although Westerville “went wet” in 2000, many residents continue to celebrate the historical significance of this movement and district. Now they can do it with an official designation.

“The neighborhood itself and all of the people who were there during that time is such an interesting aspect of the city. We have been so lucky to have all of this preserved,” Weinhardt says. “This designation is just kind of a reward – for the city and for the Historical Society – for having been a caretaker of history.”

Alicia Kelso is editor of Westerville Magazine.

QUICK HISTORY

Some of the Temperance Row residents included:
Purley A. Baker, ASLA general superintendent.
Howard Hyde Russell, league founder.
Ernest H. Cherrington, editor/publisher and general manager.
The Rev. Thomas Hare, headed five different state Anti Saloon leagues.
Sam Fickel, managing editor of American Issue, weekly newspaper of ASLA

For more information about the ASLA and its connection to Westerville, visit the Westerville Public Library Web site at www.westervillelibrary.org and click on the “Local History” link.