1984

1984 Brick Protest
German Village's brick streets are an unquestionable part of its distinctive historic character, and in a special way they document a long history of civic activism that continues to this day. When the city failed to maintain the brick streets, the German Village Society swung into action. On Memorial Day in 1984, Villagers planted a tree in a large pothole at the corner of Beck and Mohawk streets. One city official responded with, "Those people—they can eat bricks." That comment and the media attention that followed galvanized residents to respond.

Image caption: This article appeared in the Columbus Citizen-Journal on June 1, 1984.

1984 Taking Action
Typical of a German Village motto, "Do Good, but Have Fun," residents, politicians and future politicians turned out to repair the neglected bricks on a section of Mohawk Street, while wearing T-shirts printed with "Let Them Eat Bricks." Within a few months, the city had changed its policy. Ever since then, it has repaired and maintained the brick streets in all the city's designated historic districts.

Image caption: Volunteers Jim Daley, Gisela Rosenbaum, Fred Holdridge and future Ohio Governor John Kasich taking a break from brick street repair.

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Circa 1872
Lindey's
Circa 1875
Frank Fetch Park
Frank Fetch
Bricks with Names
Former Site of St. Mary's School and Convent
Year of Construction Early 1900s
St. Mary Church
The Brothers' House

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