Franklin County Engineer Facebook Feed

Franklin County Engineer

As a local public works agency headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the Franklin County Engineer's Office is responsible for the maintenance and construction of 271 miles of county roadway and 351 county bridges, as well as upkeep of all county ditches, drains, retention basins, and other storm water facilities within the right-of-way of county roads in unincorporated areas. To meet the continuing development and infrastructure needs of Franklin County, the Engineer's Office utilizes the latest technologies for determining and maintaining roadway centerlines and boundaries; retracing and setting new monuments for original public land surveys; preparing geographic information system mapping for real estate tax assessments; and establishing precise countywide horizontal and vertical control to maintain uniformity in construction, surveying, and mapping.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Tina Welch recently reached her 15-Year Milestone Anniversary at The Franklin County Engineer’s Office. Thank you, Tina, for your dedicated service to our constituents and #TeamFCEO!
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
#TeamFCEO supports Baltimore, MD after the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. We commend the swift actions of the bridge authorities and first responders. Our sincere condolences are with those in mourning following this tragic event. #baltimorestrong
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Lockbourne Road is closed at London-Groveport Road (SR 317) for utility improvements. The road will be closed for approximately two weeks, weather permitting
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
We joined Como Elementary School again this year for their Passion and Purpose Career Day. The kids enjoyed exploring our vehicles and learning about our office. Thank you, Como Elementary, for hosting another successful event!
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Frost Avenue between Mix Avenue and Emmit Avenue is closed due to an emergency repair on a retaining wall. The road will remain closed for two to three weeks or until the repair is completed.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
In honor of Women’s History Month, we would like to recognize Judith Resnik, Engineer & NASA Astronaut, who was the fourth woman, second American woman, and first Jewish woman to fly in space. #womenshistorymonth
Franklin County Engineer's Office
970 DUBLIN ROAD
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
(614) 525-3030
fracoeng@franklincountyengineer.org
Top
 

Surveyor’s Journal Entry Seventeen

Surveyor’s Journal Entry Seventeen

Boom and Bust Times Affect County Land Sales

The addition of 45 2.5-acre lots on Columbus’ northern border in 1813, in the modern-day Short North neighborhood, and 328 acres in 1814, in the modern-day German Village, under the proprietorship of Canadian refugee John McGowan and Deputy Surveyor John Shields, exemplified the land changes that were starting to occur in Franklin County.

The first surge in land development, by 1816, coincided with the incorporation of Columbus as a Borough, the opening of the Franklin Bank of Columbus, the start of regular stagecoach service, completion of the new State House, and the opening of the first bridge over the Scioto River just south of modern-day Broad Street. At the time, there were nearly 700 residents in the borough and more than 1,000 residents across the county.

The nationwide economic panic of 1819, however, caused a steep drop in land prices that impacted local land development and sales. Prime in-town lots were selling for as low as $200 while out-lots could be purchased for 10 to 20 dollars. Foreclosures were commonplace, and even involved Columbus proprietors James Johnston and Alexander McLaughlin who relinquished their remaining properties.

Congress responded to the downturn by passing the Land Act of 1820. The legislation ended the practice of selling public land “on credit,” and required that a $100 down payment be made at the time of a transaction. The minimum land purchase and price were reduced to 80 acres at a cost of $1.25 per acre in the hopes of attracting new settlers, as well as encouraging “squatters” to purchase the land on which they resided.

Congress then passed the Relief Act of 1821 that allowed property owners in default to return their land in exchange for credit toward their debt. This was particularly helpful to farmers who could downsize without losing all of their property. The duration of credit was also extended from four to eight years to give investors and the economy time to recover.