Worthington Historical Tours – Just a Bus Ride Away

In a few weeks, the Worthington Historical Society and the Griswold Center will kick off their popular Historic Bus Tours. Back for the third year in a row, these educational tours are a great way to learn about the fascinating stories behind many Worthington sites. Here's a sampling of interesting facts to pique your interest.

• St. John’s Episcopal Church Cemetery is the final resting place for some of the city’s earliest settlers, including men who fought in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

• Among his many accomplishments, like founding the great city of Worthington, James Kilbourne also operated the Worthington Manufacturing Company on Fox Lane. The well-known street has been home to many things, including a sheep farm, a training ground during the Civil War—and a trash dump.

• Ozem Gardner, the most-active local conductor of the Underground Railroad, lived in Flint. It is estimated that nearly 200 slaves passed through his home on their way to Canada.

• Two of the neighborhoods featured on the Worthington Neighborhoods tour are not technically part of Worthington. Can you name them?

• Walnut Grove Cemetery is the final resting place for 1,334 veterans. Every Memorial Day the cemetery staff proudly places a flag at each one of their graves.

Intrigued? Hop on the bus to learn about these fun facts and so much more.

Here’s what you need to know:

Each tour costs just $14 and registration is already underway. Call the Griswold Center at 614-842-6320 or visit their website to sign up for the following tours:

1. Worthington’s Historic Districts – Friday, April 8 at 1 p.m. (get off the bus once, at St. John’s Cemetery)

1. Worthington Manufacturing Company and Factory Street – Friday, May 13 at 1 p.m. (20-25 minutes of gentle walking involved)

1. Worthington and Flint’s Underground Railroad Connections – Friday June 10 and September 9 at 1 p.m. (some walking in the cemetery)

1. Worthington Neighborhoods – Friday, July 8 at 1 p.m. (entire tour on bus)

1. Walnut Grove Cemetery – Friday, August 12 at 1 p.m. (entire tour will be walking upon arrival at Walnut Grove, about an hour)