History of a Zollinger Road Farm House:
(Many thanks to Ken Vaughn for this submission.)
The family home at 2628 Zollinger Road was built by James Vaughn in 1916, two years before the Thompson brothers’ upscale suburban community south of Lane Avenue became a village. The original structure rests on a limestone foundation and was called "the summer house."
Built on acreage purchased by James Madison Vaughn and his wife, Zerelda Knepper Vaughn, they may have considered this their dream home to raise a family of two boys and three girls. James may have been influenced by his early years on the family farm in the hills of Hocking County when he decided to leave busy city life in Columbus for country living in Perry Township.
Persisting through the Great Depression, two world wars, blizzards, a hurricane, a fire and pressure from developers, the home is still here. During that time and continuing today, it has sheltered many in need, including family, friends and neighbors, for a night or two and sometimes a year or longer.
After the passing of James and Zerelda, their son, Harold G. Vaughn and wife Annabelle E. Vaughn, became owners of the home in 1943 and raised three more boys and a daughter: Harold James, Charles Madison, Kenneth C. and Barbara Ellen Vaughn. It was during this time period that modern utilities arrived on Zollinger Road, such as Columbus water and sewer lines. Harold G. installed new plumbing and had new house wiring installed. Eventually a natural gas line came down Zollinger Road, and the coal fired furnace was replaced by a modern gas one. No more shoveling coal!
Growing up in the family home was a unique experience. The later generation didn't know how unique it really was until about 1954 when an expanding Upper Arlington annexed that portion of southern Perry Township. Calling the event a culture shock would not be an error. All of a sudden those attending grade school at South Perry School were now going to Fishinger Road Elementary School. It was still the same beloved school building and teachers but now a part of the Upper Arlington school system.
In 1994 Ken and Jeanine purchased the home from Ken's mother. They hired J. Lynn Thomas, an architect who specialized in restoration projects, to design renovations and upgrades to the home. In the process learning that the style of their house is from the mid-nineteenth century Arts and Crafts era of American architecture and design. Today they enjoy living in and sharing with family, friends and neighbors the home that is still the family "dream home.”