Poindexter Village was one of the first public housing projects in the United States. Author: Angela Reighard Updated: 5:33 PM EST February 3, 2021
As new people and places move into Columbus Near East Side, two historic buildings remain, marking the future site of the Poindexter Village Museum and Cultural Center.
Ohio History Connection and James Preston Poindexter Foundation partnered to preserve the legacy of the village that was one of the first public housing projects in the United States.
The History
Poindexter Village got its name from Columbus abolitionist, activist, and politician Rev. James Preston Poindexter. A barber by trade, Rev. Poindexter was the first African American elected to the city council and the school board. To many at the time, he symbolized hope.