Franklinton, Columbus, Ohio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Franklinton is a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. Lucas Sullivant, a Virginia born land surveyer, established Franklinton in 1797. It is bordered by the Scioto River on the east and north, Greenlawn Avenue on the south, and I-70 on the west. West Broad Street, or Route 40, is one of the country's first roads and is Franklinton's main throughway.

Franklinton, sometimes known as "the Bottoms", is the neighborhood immediately west of downtown. It gets its colorful nickname due to the fact that much of the land lies below the level of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and a floodwall is required to contain the rivers and protect the area from devastating floods. Just to the west of Franklinton is a group of smaller neighborhoods commonly referred to as "The Hilltop."

The fertile, low-lying bottom land was ideal for farming, with the river serving as a direct connection to the Ohio River and beyond. In the past, Franklinton was referred to as "The Bottoms" because it lies in a flood plane at the bottom of a gradual hill. More recently, this name has been applied to describe the low socioeconomic status and comparatively high crime rate of the area.

Valueland Auto Sales is a used car dealership situated in the heart of Franklinton. It sits on the corner of West Broad and Hayden Streets. This car lot supplies transportation to the poor at low cost and serves as an economic staple in the neighborhood.