03/26/2026
This week’s History of Black Columbus photos spotlight the rich history of Milo-Grogan. It is a historic neighborhood just northeast of downtown Columbus, Ohio, formed in the late 1870s from the communities of Milo and Grogan. “Milo” was named after Milo Streets, who operated a brickyard near St. Clair Avenue and Third Avenue, while “Grogan” came from John Patrick Grogan, a grocer and postmaster on Cleveland Avenue. Industrial growth fueled the area’s development, with major employers like Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, Kilbourne & Jacobs, and Berry Brothers Bolt Works attracting workers. Cleveland Avenue became the main commercial corridor linking the two, along with streets like East 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 11th Avenues. Early on, the neighborhood was home to immigrant populations, including Italian families who helped shape its culture alongside later African American migrants, making Milo-Grogan an important part of Columbus’s Black working-class history.
In the mid-20th century, Milo-Grogan became more closely tied to the Black community as segregation and redlining limited housing options elsewhere. Families built strong networks around local institutions, though the construction of Interstate 71 and the decline of industry later displaced residents and reduced population. Notable residents include Jim Cleamons, an NBA coach and former player; Charles Thompkins, a longtime community leader and founder of “Milo Fest”; Rodney Kent, Sheila Castellarin, and Gail Brown, who helped preserve neighborhood history through oral storytelling. Today, Milo-Grogan is served by Columbus City Schools, with boundaries often split by I-71. Students typically attend Weinland Park Elementary and Dominion Middle School on the west side, Windsor STEM Academy on the east side, and Linden-McKinley STEM Academy for middle and high school, with Whetstone High School also serving parts of the neighborhood.
Today, Milo-Grogan reflects both its industrial past and ongoing revitalization efforts. Landmarks like the Milo Arts center, located in the former Milo Public School, and the historic Columbus Railway, Power & Light office on Cleveland Avenue remain key symbols of its heritage. Community spaces such as the Milo-Grogan Recreation Center continue to support residents through programs and events. Bounded by rail corridors and Interstate 670 and located near Italian Village, Weinland Park, and Linden, Milo-Grogan remains a resilient neighborhood with deep roots in Columbus’s Black community and a continuing story of reinvestment.
