Neil House

The Neil House was a 13-story hotel on High Street in Columbus with 657 rooms and multiple dining facilities facing Capitol Square. The building served as lodging for over 150 years and was a landmark feature of downtown.

William Neil established the first Neil House in 1842 using materials from his farm, creating a five-story building with 334 rooms at this location. Over time, versions of the hotel were rebuilt and enlarged until the final building was demolished in the 1920s.

The building displayed artworks by local artists, including a mural by Rainey Bennett and paintings by William L. Hawkins in its halls. This artistic collection made the space a center of cultural importance for the city.

Access to this site is challenging today as the original location no longer exists and only history books and local archives preserve the memory. Visitors interested in the past can explore nearby museums and information centers to learn more about this lost downtown landmark.

Future president William McKinley stayed at the second Neil House during his governorship from 1892 to 1896. This prominent guest house was later demolished before the final and largest version of the hotel was built.

GPS coordinates: 39.96112,-83.00096

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04