North Market in Columbus Ohio
North Market, located in downtown Columbus, Ohio, has a long and storied history dating back to the 19th century. It has served as an important hub for food trade and community gatherings over the generations.
The origins of North Market began in 1847 when the city established a public market house on the former site of the Columbus Public Hay Scales. Farmers would bring their fresh produce, meats, cheeses and other goods to sell in an open-air shed. This first market house was relatively primitive.
In 1872, the city funded a new brick market house on the site. It was built in typical Victorian style with a 150 foot long open shed, red brick walls, arched windows and twin towers topped with iron cresting. Inside were butcher stalls and farmer’s wagons selling their wares. It became a bustling center of commerce.
In 1896, the market expanded to also include an official city hall for various municipal offices. A four-faced Seth Thomas clock tower was added in 1901, becoming an iconic architectural feature. Offices eventually relocated as the site continued focusing just on its retail market operations.
North Market operated in that Victorian-era brick building for over a century, surviving major floods in 1913 and 1959 that devastated Columbus. Vendors changed over time and new additions were built, but the original Market Hall building and clock tower remained intact as decades passed.
By the 1990s, the aging site was in decline. In 1995, the North Market Development Authority was established to oversee a major renovation and expansion of the historic market. In August 1999, North Market closed its doors and the old building was demolished.
On May 1, 2002 the new North Market reopened after a $8.2 million renovation. It included restoring the iconic Seth Thomas clock tower as the heart of a modern glass and steel building housing over 35 merchant stalls. The revitalized market quickly became a beloved community treasure.
Today, North Market still stands in downtown Columbus as both a National Historic Landmark and a bustling hub of food, artisans and entrepreneurs. Over 30 merchants provide an array of fresh produce, meats, baked goods, flowers, kitchenware, and international foods. North Market continues a 175 year tradition of good food, community connections, and celebrating Ohio’s rich history.
