Upper Arlington

Upper Arlington, nick-named the Golden Bears, was incorporated in 1918 and has grown into a primarily residential community of approximately 34,000 residents covering 9.67 square miles. The City enjoys a convenient location as a first-ring suburb of Central Ohio.

Upper Arlington is home to the Ohio State University Golf Course and the Scioto Country Club, a private course where UA Alum Jack Nicklaus started his golf game.

There is a variety of shopping opportunities in Upper Arlington including Kingsdale Shopping Center, and Lane Avenue Shopping Centers. While Kingsdale has seen better days, it is in the process of being revitalized. Kingsdale was also home to the first Limited Store created by Les Wexner.

On the west side of Kingsdale Shopping Center, new condominiums, business offices, and retail shopping stores are being constructed that promises to bring some much needed development to the area. There seems to be a tug of war going on between UA City Council and the owners of Kingsdale on what to do with this valuable property. The city wants the property to adopt its Master Plan guidelines which don't necessarily agree with the best commercial use of the property. This disagreement has put the shopping mall in a state of limbo in that it can't redevelop, or even remodel unless the property comes in line with the Master Plan.

UA's Master Plan

With less than 5% of the City’s land use dedicated to commercial activities (which bring in significant higher tax revenues than residential properties), local income tax is a key source of revenue for the City and, as such, infrastructure maintenance and City service demands are outpacing the City’s funding capacity. The Master Plan which was adopted in 2001, is a document that dictates new construction (this includes renovating existing commercial properties) must meet guidelines that call for commercial areas to be higher-density, mixed use centers to generate higher tax revenues from the property.

While the Master Plan has the best interests of the city at heart, its implementation has been rather spotty at best. The new development west of Kingsdale is a good example of how the plan has been successfully implemented. Kingsdale itself is a good example of how the plan has hampered re-development. On the east side of Kingsdale, property that was zoned residential, was turned into commercial so a new bank could be built on one of the few remaining undeveloped properties.

Stated Goals of the Master Plan:

• Land Use - Recognize the City’s residential nature while enhancing community redevelopment and revitalization.

• Economy - Emphasize creation of a strong, diverse economy while respecting the community’s residential nature.

• Community Appearance - preserve and enhance the City’s neighborhoods, parks and architectural amenities.

• Community Facilities - maintain and expand community facilities to provide diverse recreational, social and cultural opportunities.

• Community Services - provide quality, cost-effective community services.

• Housing - facilitate in the provision of a range of well-built housing using old and new housing stock to accommodate people of all ages.

• Transportation - provide a comprehensive, safe and convenient network.

• Implementation - emphasize accountability, fiscal soundness, monitoring and appropriate regulations while fostering citizen and business involvement in the Master Plan’s effective implementation.

Upper Arlington History

Upper Arlington was originally located in Perry Township. At that time it was 10 miles in length from north to south and 1-3 miles wide from the Scioto River eastward. Simon Shattuck who owned a farm near the middle of the township sold a part of his farm in small lots which brought 8 families together in close proximity. The settlement was known as "Shattucksburg" but it was never intended to be a town.

In 1870 Henry Miller acquired 100 acres north of what is now Fifth Avenue, overlooking the Scioto River Valley. By 1913 the Miller family lands had grown to include the entire area bounded by Fifth Avenue, Dublin Road, Lane Avenue and North Star Road. In 1913, James Miller sold 840 acres to the Thompson brothers, King and Ben for the development of a residential community. The first homes were built on Roxbury Road and Cambridge Boulevard. However, with problems with Mexico in 1916, a temporary Ohio National Guard camp was established in the area and interrupted construction.

Camp Willis

Jones Middle School, Upper Arlington: Site of Camp Willis

When the Ohio National Guard was mobilized for service along the Mexican Border in June 1916, more than 7,000 Soldiers mustered at Camp Willis, near where Jones Middle School is now located. The troops were getting ready to fight against Pancho Villa's Mexican outlaws who were destroying American property along the border. Camp Willis was organized under the direction of Adjutant-General B.W. Hough and named for Ohio's 47th Governor, Frank Willis. The first troops arrived in July 1916 and left for Camp Pershing in El Paso, Texas and began to arrive in Texas by late August. A majority of Ohio’s units had returned home when the entire National Guard was drafted into Federal service on Aug. 5, 1917, as the United States entered World War I.

Inspired by the Country Club development in Kansas City, King Thompson envisioned an idealistic residential community for Columbus. Conveniently located close to the city of Columbus, 2 streetcars provided easy access to the city, one running to the intersection of Fifth and Arlington Avenues and the other ending at Fishinger Road, just north of Griggs Dam. Not only did these streetcars provide a way for Upper Arlington residents to commute to work in downtown Columbus, but it also allowed for housekeeping personnel to come to work in the new homes.

The chosen area also enjoyed a favorable westerly winds, shielding new residents from the fumes and odors associated with Columbus’ turn of the century downtown factories, cattle pens, and slaughterhouses.

Columbus Marathon running through the streets of Upper Arlington

Originally, King Thompson planned to call the area the Country Club District, however, by 1917, the community had taken on a different name. Marble Cliff, located immediately to the south of Upper Arlington, was named Arlington at that time, which led to the term Upper Arlington. This term stuck, however today it leads to some confusion among non-residents as to where Lower Arlington is located. On June 17, 1918, Upper Arlington was incorporated as a village.

In 1916 the Scioto Country Club opened in the southwestern edge of today's Upper Arlington and it immediately became one of the country's finest golf courses. Forty-four years later, a young boy named Jack Nicklaus would take his first golf lesson there under the guidance of Jack Grout, the only man that Jack ever took lessons from.

The village of Upper Arlington became a city in 1941 and was chartered in 1956 with the council/manager form of government that exists today.

The city of Upper Arlington is completely surrounded by other municipalities, so its growth is limited, and land is at a premium. In some rare cases, million dollar homes are purchased and torn down so newer multi-million dollar homes can be built in the most desirable areas. Efforts are underway to preserve UA's historic homes and buildings from such actions.

UA Arts Festival -- every Labor Day

The Upper Arlington Arts Festival is an annual event held each Labor Day on the 22 acres of Northam Park just east of the Main Library. Some 200 artisans, from across the country display at this art festival labeled "the best one day show around." It is estimated that 20,000 - 30,000 visitors attend the Arts Festival each year. Parking is a premium and streets surrounding the park are usually blocked off. There is usually a shuttle service running from Kingsdale Shopping Mall just north of the park on the Tremont Road side.

The Chef-O-Nette Diner

The Chef-O-Nette has been a family dining fixture in Upper Arlington for over 50 years. Lots of diners around the country are built around nostalgic themes, but the Chef-O-Nette is the genuine article.

The Chef-O-Nette opened in 1955 and it hasn't changed much in the intervening years. While you're there check out the original drive-thru window that was part of the original building, long before drive-thru's became the norm of today's fast food.

Located at the eastern corner of the small Tremont Center across the street from Upper Arlington's Main Library, the Chef-O-Nette features daily specials, chocolate malts, and cherry cokes made the old-fashioned way. From burgers to steaks, the prices are outstanding. For a trip back in time, drop in to the Chef-O-Nette, you'll be not only surprised with the quality of their food, but also the pricing. It's nothing fancy, but it's their food is good. We can't say there prices are from the 50s, but with today's menu sticker shock, the Chef-O-Nette will definitely seem like it.

While you're there you can imagine the likes of a young Jack Nicklaus, Chris Spielman, Ohio State University Coaches Woody Hayes, Earl Bruce and John Cooper, even Governor Rhodes, who all were regular visitors to the Chef-O-Nette during their time in Central Ohio.

Other Community Events

Upper Arlington annually hosts a Fourth of July parade and fireworks display, the annual Halloween festival at Tremont Elementary School are other notable community events. The Jones Middle School Fall production and the High school's annual musicals are always a big hit. The City's Parks & Recreation Department hosts numerous events including the Winter Festival and Tree Lighting, various church festivals, Spring Fling, Summer Celebration and Fall Fest. Other events include the Taste of UA festival, and during the summer mounts Upper Arlington also hosts a program called "Movie in the Park" where (usually free of charge) a movie is shown in Upper Arlington's various parks throughout the summer.

 

Chris Cake's Amazing Flying Pancakes

April Fools Breakfast

Every year the residents of Upper Arlington are invited by the merchants of Tremont Center to a free breakfast of pancakes and sausage as a way of saying thank you for their year round support. The breakfast is held on the last Saturday of March closest to April 1st: hence the name April's Fools Breakfast. This breakfast event is a great way to meet the merchants and fellow Upper Arlington neighbors.

Also featured at the breakfast are usually several local farm animals the kids can see up close.

Upper Arlington 4th of July Parade

Like many communities, Upper Arlington provides a long standing tradition of the the traditional July 4th Parade. The parade route goes south on Northwest Boulevard from Kingsdale to North Star Road. Another long standing tradition is for residents to line up their lawn chairs along the parade route days before the parade to insure they have a spot to watch the parade pass.

Few communities celebrate the 4th like UA. The day begins with a community parade packed with floats, antique cars, clowns and more. The day's activities are capped off by an evening festival with fireworks at Northam Park (gates open at 5:30 p.m.).

Another July 4th tradition symbolizing Paul Revere’s ride from the Revolutionary War is the 7:00AM Wake Up Call on the 4th, when members of the Upper Arlington Civic Association cruise the neighborhoods announcing the start of the America's Birthday celebration. The parade will be cancelled only by dangerous weather such as high winds, lightening, tornados, etc. Rain alone will not stop the parade.