The Wagram Inn, east of Reynoldsburg along U.S. 40. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

Route 66 is famous for its weathered old motels, neon signs and unique roadside attractions that bring about a sense of nostalgia for a long-lost age.

Ohio has its own version of the Mother Road – U.S. 40, or the National Road. This road, originally built in the 1830s, runs from Bridgeport on the eastern side of the state to the Indiana border on the west.

On the way, it goes through the largest city on its route, Columbus and its eastern and western suburbs. The resurgence of the National Road from the 1920s through the 1940s brought about the development of motels, restaurants, gas stations, roadhouses and cabin camps.

Along U.S. 40 in Columbus — E. Main Street from Bexley to Reynoldsburg and W. Broad Street through downtown to the westside — can be found an excellent collection of neon signs, motels, restaurants and other mid-20th century and older architectural gems.

The Florentine Restaurant and Tommy’s Diner in west Columbus. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

Here are some features to look for along the road in central Ohio:

• Wagram Inn – 9601 E. Main St., about 1 mile east of Reynoldsburg. Remains of Haft Motel across the street.
• Super Motor Lodge, 4444 E. Main St.; Holiday Motel, 4420 E. Main St.; Columbus Motor Lodge, 3984 E. Main St.; Casa Villa Motel, 3969 E. Main St. – motels all located west of S. Hamilton Road in Whitehall.
• Stop 40 Bar – 4350 E. Main St., Whitehall.
• Homestead Motel (originally Quality Inn) – 4182 E. Main St., 1950s motel at Yearling Road in Whitehall.
• Brookside Motel, 3020 E. Main St., and Capital Motel, 3045 E. Main St., mid-century motels both located just west of James Road.
• The Top Steakhouse – 2891 E. Main St., open since 1955.
• Wing’s Restaurant – 2801 E. Main St., open since 1970.
• Rubino’s Pizzeria – 2643 E. Main St. at Vernon Avenue, dates back to 1954.
• Drexel Theatre – 2254 E. Main St., (built 1937) just west of Drexel Avenue where U.S. 40 jogs up to E. Broad Street.
• Planter’s Peanut sign (Mr. Peanut) – at Broad and High streets downtown, sign dates to 1936.
• Palace Theatre – 34 W. Broad St., at LeVeque Tower, dates to 1928.
• Toledo and Ohio Railroad Depot – 379 W. Broad St. in Franklinton, built 1895 and operated until 1930. Currently used by International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67.
• Florentine Italian Restaurant (sign only) – 907 W. Broad St., restaurant closed in 2016.
• Tommy’s Diner – 914 W. Broad St., across street from Florentine.
• 40 Motel – 3705 W. Broad St., a very large neon sign (1950s vintage?) just east of Wilson Road.

Find out more about what’s along the National Road in Columbus here (video).

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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