&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Discovery_Bridge,_Columbus,_Ohio_01.jpg) Broad Street over the Discovery Bridge heading east into downtown | |
| Location | Franklin, Licking, Madison counties, Ohio |
|---|---|
| West end | West Jefferson, Ohio |
| East end | Pataskala, Ohio |
| North | Gay Street |
| South | Varies |
Broad Street is a major thoroughfare in Central Ohio, predominantly in Franklin County and Columbus. It stretches east from West Jefferson at Little Darby Creek to Pataskala. The street is considered one of Columbus's two main roads, along with High Street.
Broad Street was first laid out around 1797, when Franklinton was settled. In 1812, when Columbus was founded, a new section of the street was built in the new city. The street first connected to the rest of the settled country in 1831, when the Ohio and Erie Canal reached Columbus. In 1833, the National Road was extended to Columbus, utilizing all of West Broad Street. In the mid-to-late 19th century, East Broad Street became a fashionable place for wealthy homeowners, and large mansions were built along the tree-lined street. Large hotels and apartments followed into the early 1900s. The street has seen numerous changes since then, including clearing and widening. Portions of the street were improved with trees, bike lanes, and rainwater basins in Franklinton, with additional streetscape improvements planned for other sections of the street.