Do you enjoy a good scare combined with learning about local history? This Columbus Ghost Tours link may be for you. Now that Halloween is just around the corner, it’s as good a time as any to go on a guided tour through some of Columbus’ best haunts and hear creepy stories about people and events from days gone by.
Depending on the source, the first official Columbus Gay Pride event was held in either June 1981 or June 1982. Going through newspaper and other records, it does seem like the first official Pride Parade in Columbus occurred on June 26, 1982. There were smaller demonstrations prior to 1982, but nothing officially recognized. In the 1970s, before events became more commonplace, small marches would take place through Downtown. Some participants of those early events would wear bags over their heads so that they would not be recognized. Very few protections, if any, existed for the LGBT community then, so a public outing could be very detrimental to someone’s life. In 1982, Columbus City Council passed a resolution recognizing Gay Pride Week 13 years after the Stonewall Riots, and allowed the parade to take place. The City had been somewhat of an early adoptee of LGBT equality when, in 1974, it passed an ordinance expanding housing and other public accommodation protections based on sexual orientation.
The 1982 parade.
Between 500-1000 people showed up to Columbus’ first Pride. The group took a route from Goodale Park, down Front Street and eventually to Capitol Square for a rally. The first parade was somewhat low key compared to today’s enormous party atmosphere. Participants carried signs, sang songs and waved American flags. The now iconic rainbow flag had only existed since 1978 and was not yet in widespread use.
The parade faced surprisingly few hecklers along the route for a time in which support for LGBT equality was very much a minority position within the greater population. Some local churches organized small protest groups that shouted at the crowd to repent, but were booed down by the parade- a scene that unfortunately continues to the present day.
These brave participants helped pave the way for what is now one the largest such events in the nation and possibly the world. From less than 1000 marchers and spectators, the still-growing event now attracts in excess of half a million. Based on global statistics, this would put Columbus’ Pride in the top 25 largest in the world and around 8th in the United States.
Happy Pride!
For more information on local Pride history and events, as well as LGBT resources, visit the following:
Stonewall Columbus
LGBT Resources
LGBT Health Resources
Given the recent snow, it might be a good time to share information on the best Columbus area sledding hills.
This link breaks down parks and other areas that have sled hills by side of the city/metro area. The list has dozens of places, so it should not be difficult to find a new favorite sledding place.
To get other information on Columbus activities and much more, visit Columbus Links and Resources
Halloween is just weeks away, and although the pandemic continues and festivities have been greatly reduced, some haunted Halloween attractions will be open this season, particularly those that are outdoors. Today’s link provides information on how to find the best of Ohio’s attractions, both locally and elsewhere in the state.
Haunt World
https://www.hauntworld.com/ohio-haunted-houses
Haunt World has a searchable database of haunted attractions nationally, with everything from videos and photos to hours of operation and reviews. You can even order tickets.
The Scare Factor
https://www.thescarefactor.com/haunt-blog/2020-list-of-haunted-houses-in-ohio-open-or-closed-for-covid-19/
This site doesn’t quite have as much information, but it is still a good national source.
Ohio Haunted Houses
https://www.ohiohauntedhouses.com/
This site is specific to Ohio and does a great job of listing haunts by type, giving a breakdown of everything from corn mazes and haunted trails to safe Trick ‘r Treating for kids throughout the state. It’s definitely worth a look.
After the chaos of this year, we all deserve to have a little fun, but as always, be safe out there!
While the West is better known for its many ghost towns, they exist in the Midwest as well. If you’re interested in learning about Ohio’s many long-lost small towns and villages, this is a great link. You can search through information for every county, read town histories, view photos and more. There are also links to old maps and indexes, as well as historic research resources.
Not all of the places still have remaining evidence, but enogh exist to easily justify a cool road trip around the state.
Ohio Ghost Town Exploration Co.