Columbus's Historic Birthplace Reborn as an Innovative Arts & Maker Heartland
Franklinton is the historic birthplace of Columbus, established in 1797 on the west bank of the Scioto River by Virginia surveyor Lucas Sullivant—fifteen years before the City of Columbus itself was founded. Known for generations as 'The Bottoms' due to low-lying floodplains, Franklinton was protected in 2004 by the completion of a massive federal floodwall, sparking one of the most exciting creative and maker renaissances in the Midwest.
Today, Franklinton is the reigning arts and maker capital of Columbus. Historic industrial warehouses have been transformed into vibrant creative engines, anchored by 400 West Rich—housing over 150 visual artist studios and exhibition galleries—and the Idea Foundry, a massive 60,000-square-foot makerspace equipped with laser cutters, metal forges, and 3D printers.
Centering around Town Street, the district is energized by award-winning craft breweries like Land-Grant Brewing Company, artisanal cideries, innovative restaurants, and the iconic COSI (Center of Science and Industry) on the riverbank, framed by dramatic skyline vistas.
Key Highlights
- 400 West Rich, a 100,000 sq ft former industrial factory housing 150+ artist studios, galleries, and events.
- The Idea Foundry, one of the world's largest public makerspaces with state-of-the-art fabrication tools and classes.
- Land-Grant Brewing Company, featuring an expansive craft beer taproom, curling rinks, food trucks, and music garden.
- COSI (Center of Science and Industry), consistently ranked America's #1 science center on the Scioto riverbank.
Lucas Sullivant's Settlement, The 1913 Flood and the Floodwall Revival
In 1797, Lucas Sullivant surveyed and platted Franklinton as a frontier trading post along the Scioto River. During the War of 1812, General William Henry Harrison used Franklinton as the staging headquarters for the Northwestern Army.
In March 1913, catastrophic regional rain caused the Great 1913 Flood, destroying bridges and inundating Franklinton under 17 feet of water. Strict building restrictions stunted development for nearly a century until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the $134 million Franklinton Floodwall in 2004. Artists and creative entrepreneurs immediately moved in, launching an artistic renaissance.
Milestone Timeline
Lucas Sullivant founds Franklinton, predating the founding of Columbus by 15 years.
General William Henry Harrison establishes headquarters in Franklinton during War of 1812.
The Great Flood devastates the neighborhood, inundating it under 17 feet of water.
The federal Franklinton Floodwall is completed, unlocking modern development and arts revival.
Famous Places in Bishop Arts District
400 West Rich
100,000-Square-Foot Creative Arts IncubatorHistoric manufacturing warehouse transformed into 150+ artist studios, event spaces, community galleries, and Strongwater Food & Spirits.
Land-Grant Brewing Company
Pioneering Craft Brewery & Beer GardenPopular brewery featuring locally themed craft beers, a multi-screen sports taproom, massive beer garden, curling ice rinks, and food trucks.
COSI (Center of Science and Industry)
America's Premier Interactive Science MuseumMassive 320,000-square-foot science center on the riverfront featuring a planetarium, dinosaur hall, ocean lab, and giant screen cinema.
The Idea Foundry
World's Premier 60,000 Sq Ft MakerspaceState-of-the-art makerspace offering woodworking, metal forging, welding, 3D printing, laser cutting, and creative co-working.
Top Things to Do in Bishop Arts
Tour Artist Studios at Franklinton Friday
Join the monthly neighborhood arts walk every second Friday exploring open artist lofts, live music, and gallery openings at 400 West Rich.
Play Winter Curling & Sip Pints at Land-Grant
Book an outdoor synthetic curling lane or play pickleball while sipping fresh IPAs in the sprawling Land-Grant beer garden.
Explore Hands-On Science at COSI
Drive a submersible in the Ocean hall, touch real dinosaur fossils in the American Museum of Natural History gallery, and gaze at stars.
Walk the Rich Street Bridge to Downtown
Stroll across the modern arched bridge linking Franklinton directly to the Scioto Mile fountains and downtown skyline.
Craft Breweries, Warehouse Bistros & Food Truck Parks
Franklinton offers a creative, industrial-chic dining scene centered on Town and Rich streets:
Industrial Warehouse Bistros
Strongwater Food & Spirits (modern industrial dining & craft cocktails inside 400 West Rich), and Yellow Brick Pizza.
Craft Breweries & Cideries
Land-Grant Brewing Company (craft beer & rotating food trucks), BrewDog Franklinton (two-story rooftop taproom), and Rehab Burgers.
Casual Street Eats & Tacos
Tommy's Diner (classic 1950s retro chrome diner serving legendary breakfasts since 1989), and food truck parks.
Specialty Coffee & Roasters
One Line Coffee (roastery and training lab in Franklinton), and Roy G Biv gallery espresso bars.
Living in Franklinton: Industrial Lofts, Artist Studios & Rapid Revitalization
Franklinton is experiencing one of the most energetic urban renaissances in Columbus, making it an exciting neighborhood for artists, tech makers, and urban pioneers. Residential offerings include newly constructed luxury mixed-use communities (such as River & Rich and Gravity), converted industrial lofts, and historic worker cottages.
Residents enjoy walking across the Scioto River bridges into Downtown Columbus, attending monthly gallery walks, and living within steps of world-class breweries and makerspaces. With billions in new transit-oriented development underway, Franklinton combines authentic history with high creative momentum.
Contemporary mixed-use mid-rises, converted artist lofts, and historic single-family cottages.
Maker-centric, artistic, pioneering, dog-friendly, and community-minded.
Direct pedestrian bridge links across the river to Downtown Columbus and Scioto Mile.
Home to 150+ artist studios, Idea Foundry, and premier independent breweries.
Best Time to Visit Franklinton
Spring through autumn brings outdoor concerts, food truck rallies, and patio games at Land-Grant and BrewDog.
Franklinton Fridays
Monthly neighborhood-wide arts walk on the second Friday of each month with open studios, live music, and exhibitions.
Urban Scrawl
Massive two-day outdoor live mural painting festival where dozens of artists paint building-sized murals to live DJ music.
Land-Grant Anniversary Festival
Annual celebration featuring specialty craft beer releases, food truck rallies, and outdoor music stages.
Getting Around & Parking in Franklinton
Ride the Free Dallas Streetcar
100% Free Public Transit • Every 20 MinutesBroad Street and Town Street are primary east-west corridors; Rich Street Bridge provides direct pedestrian/vehicle links to Downtown.
400 West Rich Parking Lot
Large surface parking lot directly across from 400 West Rich and Strongwater.
COSI Parking Garage
Covered public garage serving museum visitors and riverfront park guests.
Street Parking
Free and metered street parking along Town, Rich, and Lucas streets.
Top 6 Local Businesses in Franklinton
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Apex Master Plumbing & Rooter (Columbus)
24/7 Emergency plumbing, sewer camera inspection, and tankless water heaters in Columbus.
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Columbus Prestige Residential Architecture
Custom luxury home design, modern architectural renovations, and interior blueprints.
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Joe's Craft Smokehouse & BBQ (Columbus)
Award-winning hickory-smoked brisket, ribs, and handcrafted Southern sides in Columbus.
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Columbus Vanguard Precision Dental Care
Modern cosmetic dentistry, clear aligners, pain-free cleanings, and emergency care.
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Columbus Peak Fitness & Performance Lab
Strength conditioning, personal athletic coaching, recovery suites, and hot sauna.
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Columbus The Botanical Bookshop & Cafe
Independently curated novels, rare editions, local pour-over coffee, and bakery goods.
Explore Franklinton Businesses by Category
Frequently Asked Questions about Franklinton
Explore Nearby Columbus Neighborhoods
Downtown Columbus
Scioto Mile riverfront, Ohio Statehouse & theaters
Arena District
Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park & sports bars
German Village
Brick-paved streets, Schmidt's Sausage & The Book Loft
Short North
Lit steel arches, Gallery Hop & High Street dining
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