History of the Greater Westgate Community

During the early 1920’s, the land once known as Camp Chase was bought with the purpose of developing it into a new “suburban” neighborhood called Broadview Addition. Also during the 1920’s, the Vanderburg farm just South of Sullivant Ave., and the Haldy and Scott farms just North of W. Broad St. (both areas just South and North of Broadview) were broken into lots for the new subdivisions of Wilshire Heights and North View, respectively. During the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s, farmland West of Westmore Ave. was developed for the new Westgate subdivision (formally the Hussey Estate) that would encompass a public recreation building and 46.3 acres of green space. During the 1920’s, residents in the area were within walking distance of many shops, corner markets and confectioneries, and those employed on the Hilltop could easily walk to work. Even more residents chose to take the Camp Chase streetcar, which had routes that could also take commuters downtown via the West Broad Street or Sullivant Avenue lines. According to the Columbus Dispatch, these were the days When Streetcars Ruled.

Today, the area bound by Demorest Ave. to the West, Hague Ave. to the East, Sullivant Ave. to the South and W. Broad St. to the North is considered “Westgate,” while the area West of Hague, East of Crescent, South of Sullivant and North of Eakin Rd. is considered the “Historic” area of Wilshire Heights. The area once known as North View consists of Westmoor to the West, Huron Ave. to the East, CSX train tracks to the North and Broad Street to the South, and is today sometimes referred to by local residents as “North Westgate.” Together, these areas are part of the Greater Westgate Community.

There is a large diversity of homes in each neighborhood, consisting mostly of custom Cape Cods, Bungalows, Tudor, Cottage, and Colonial Revival styles from the Arts and Craft and Romantic Revival movements. Some Robouck homes that were inspired by these styles can be found within the community as well. In fact, many residents of Broadview Addition found their home plan at the Doddington Westside Lumber Company. Residents living in the Greater Westgate Area enjoy mature tree lines streets, diversity, homes with character, and the area’s strong sense of community. Westgate has been twice named by Columbus Monthly as one of the best neighborhoods to live in within central Ohio. We are a vibrant area of Columbus’ “Urban Metro,” and are proud to be part of the Hilltop Renaissance.

historic wilshire heights