Description: This photograph shows a crowd of people standing outside a brick building located east of the Scioto River in downtown Columbus, Ohio, ca. 1929-1932. This building and an adjoining structure, which are on the site of the future Ohio State Office Building, will be demolished in order to begin construction. Among the individuals in the crowd are law-enforcement officers who may be state troopers and/or city police. The presence of the offers may indicate the possibility of conflict at the site. Various labor disputes slowed the progress of construction. One such dispute involved the Cuyohoga Wrecking Company of Cleveland and unemployed workers from Columbus, who accused the company of using out-of-town labor at a time when many local workers were unemployed. Another photograph in this series (AL06928.tiff) shows a view of the construction site on which sits a brick building with signs advertising the Cuyahoga Wrecking Company. It is possible that the the series of photographs of soon-to-be demolished buildings were taken during this labor dispute. Groundbreaking for the Ohio State Office Building, 65 South Front Street, took place on November 19, 1929. Construction began in October 1930, and the cornerstone was laid on May 16, 1931. An explosion damaged the structure on April 14, 1932, but the building eventually opened on March 27, 1933.The 14-story building was designed by architect Harry Hake, Frank Bail, and Alfred Hahn. The building later became the Ohio Judicial Center. In 2011 the state Supreme Court named the center in honor of the late Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, who was the second-longest chief justice in state history at the time of his death in April 2010. The Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center is considered an excellent example of architecture from the Art Deco period View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06931
Subjects: Construction workers; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Ohio History--State and Local Government; Ohio Judicial Center (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows three construction workers standing against a backdrop of steel girders. A piece of equipment that appears to be a cement mixer occupies the center of the image. These men are among the construction workers who built the Ohio State Office Building, 65 South Front Street, between 1930 and 1933. Groundbreaking for the Ohio State Office Building took place on November 19, 1929. Construction began in October 1930, and the cornerstone was laid on May 16, 1931. An explosion damaged the structure on April 14, 1932, but the building eventually opened on March 27, 1933.The 14-story building was designed by architect Harry Hake, Frank Bail, and Alfred Hahn. The building later became the Ohio Judicial Center. In 2011 the state Supreme Court named the center in honor of the late Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, who was the second-longest-serving chief justice in state history at the time of his death in April 2010. The Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center is considered an excellent example of architecture from the Art Deco period. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06910
Subjects: Construction workers; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Ohio History--State and Local Government; Ohio Judicial Center (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows a group of men on site during the construction of the future Ohio State Office Building, Columbus, Ohio, ca. 1930-1933. Three men are construction workers; a fourth man is wearing business attire. The workers are members of a riveting team. The photograph has captured the moment when a worker known as the "heater" uses a pair of tongs to toss a red-hot rivet into a container held by his teammate, the "catcher." A coke-fueled forge (center) heats structural steel rivets to a glowing hot temperature. The rivet then is inserted into the joint connecting steel beams. Finally, another team member hammers the rivet into place. The heater and catcher operated with machine-like precision. They could stand at a distance of 75 feet from each other and still work quickly and accurately. Groundbreaking for the Ohio State Office Building, 65 South Front Street, took place on November 19, 1929. Construction began in October 1930, and the cornerstone was laid on May 16, 1931. An explosion damaged the structure on April 14, 1932, but the building eventually opened on March 27, 1933. The 14-story building was designed by architect Harry Hake, Frank Bail, and Alfred Hahn. It later became the Ohio Judicial Center. In 2011 the state Supreme Court named the center in honor of the late Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, who was the second-longest-serving chief justice in state history at the time of his death in April 2010. The Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center is considered an excellent example of architecture from the Art Deco period. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06919
Subjects: Construction workers; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Ohio History--State and Local Government; Ohio Judicial Center (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph documents the construction of the future Ohio State Office Building, Columbus, Ohio, ca. 1929-1933. At this stage, the structural steel grid has reached its highest point, the building's top floor. A flagpole and U.S. flag mark the progress. Construction workers are busy at their tasks. High above the structure looms a tall crane and its cables. Groundbreaking for the Ohio State Office Building, 65 South Front Street, took place on November 19, 1929. Construction began in October 1930, and the cornerstone was laid on May 16, 1931. An explosion damaged the structure on April 14, 1932, but the building eventually opened on March 27, 1933.The 14-story building was designed by architect Harry Hake, Frank Bail, and Alfred Hahn. The building later became the Ohio Judicial Center. In 2011 the state Supreme Court named the center in honor of the late Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, who was the second-longest-serving chief justice in state history at the time of his death in April 2010. The Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center is considered an excellent example of architecture from the Art Deco period. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06933
Subjects: Construction workers; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Ohio History--State and Local Government; Ohio Judicial Center (Columbus, Ohio); Construction industry--Ohio
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the construction of Columbus' South High School in January 1923 by employees of the C.W. Bryant Company. Though it was remodeled in 2009, as of 2018, this building is still used as a high school by the Columbus City School District. Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV76_B01_F12_003
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Construction industry--Ohio; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century; School buildings; Steel industry;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a larger girder being lowered into place in the construction of an unidentified building in Columbus, Ohio, by the C.W. Bryant Company. Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV76_B01_F13_002
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Construction industry--Ohio; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a building under construction and a smokestack being lifted into place, likely in Columbus, Ohio. The work was done by the C.W. Bryant Jr. Company. Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV76_B01_F11_005
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Construction industry--Ohio; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Aerial view of a construction site in Columbus, Ohio, as the steel frame for a building was being erected by the C.W. Bryant Company. Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV76_B01_F13_006
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Construction industry--Ohio; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of construction on the Brown Steel Company plant, located on Marion Road in Columbus, Ohio, November 1922. Employees of the C.W. Bryant Jr. Company can be seen on top of the building near a temporary sign that reads "This Steel Erected by The C.W. Bryant Co. House Movers & Riggers Columbus, Ohio." Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV76_B01_F12_001
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Construction industry--Ohio; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the Ralston Steel Company plant under construction on Marion Road in Columbus, Ohio. The work was done by the C.W. Bryant Company. Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV76_B01_F13_005_01
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Construction industry--Ohio; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century; Steel industry;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the construction of an unidentified building in Columbus, Ohio, 1923, by the C.W. Bryant Company. The steel frame of the building is being put into place by a large crane. Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV76_B01_F12_006_01
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Construction industry--Ohio; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century; Steel industry;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the construction of an unidentified building in Columbus, Ohio, 1923, by the C.W. Bryant Jr. Company. Charles William Bryant Jr. was born in Dayton in 1882, and from his start as a farmhand with a 3rd grade education would go on to become a prominent African American businessman, self-taught engineer, and owner of one of Columbus’ largest construction firms. The C. W. Bryant Rigging & Moving Co. was involved in major projects throughout Columbus, including the construction of a temporary Broad Street bridge following the 1913 flood, the removal of lighting arcs from High Street, and dismantling Hanford Village in 1962 for the construction of I-71. Bryant faced racial discrimination in his personal and professional life, including the refusal of local steelworkers’ unions to admit Bryant’s black employees, which forced Bryant Co. out of steel construction in the 1950s. He nonetheless expanded into other areas, including ownership of Bryco gas stations, a coal and oil company, the Litchford and Macon hotels, and the Ohio Malt Beverage Co.-the first African American distributor in Columbus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV76_B01_F12_005_01
Subjects: African Americans--Ohio; Bryant, Charles William, Jr. (1882-1964); Construction industry--Ohio; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)