Bexley

Images of America: Ohio

by Mark Epstein

Founded in 1908, Bexley is one of the earliest suburbs of Columbus, but it was settled by Native Americans long before Ohio became a state and Columbus its capital. Bexley packs a wealth of history and culture into less than two and a half square miles. It has been home to governors, award-winning authors, artists, movie stars, business leaders, and a famed aviatrix. Bexley has a long history of diversity and inclusion, welcoming people of all faiths and ethnicities. Hemmed in on all sides by the city of Columbus, Bexley has still been able to maintain a unique economic vitality characterized by businesses of all types for over 100 years. Just as notable is the city's wide array of churches and synagogues, as well as high-quality public and private educational institutions, including Capital University, that educate students from grammar school through graduate studies.

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2014

About the author

Mark Epstein, M.D. is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City and the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University and is currently Clinical Assistant Professor in the Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis at New York University.

Reviews

[Dan Mushalko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The photos are fabulous, but the text is very repetitive. The next edition would benefit greatly from some deeper dives into the city's intriguing history. For example, "Downton Abbey" proved that Americans remain fascinated by the gentry, so a chapter devoted to the Jeffrey mansion and estate would be wonderful, particularly concerning what life was like when the Jeffrey family lived there (the current edition has but a few photos from this period, and too many of them refer to its post-family period as a rec and parks property). There's plenty of missed trivia, as well. For example, much has been made of Swenson's fast food launching branches in the Columbus area over the last few years, as if this is a first for the area. However, a photo in this book from the early 1930s about a parade vehicle shows the float parked in front of a Swenson's restaurant in Bexley! Swenson's clearly had a long, but now forgotten, presence here.

While what's in this book is fascinating (particularly the history of Capital University), such missed opportunities, coupled with the repetition, bring the rating down. Still, for residents of the Columbus area, it's a worthwhile read.

[Stephanie Dargusch Borders · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read this one in 2014, so over 10 years ago. It was fun to revisit. I love history like this that is nostalgic and obviously living in bexley made it easy to visualize. I specifically reread it to learn more about my workplace and it didn’t disappoint in that regard.