Rankin Square: this block has occupied an important place in Columbus history since the Original City was laid out by surveyor Edward Lloyd Thomas in 1828.

Placed on the National Register of Historic Sites and Places in 1977.

Rankin Hotel is located on the east side of the city's main street called Broad Street (Broadway now) because of its 164-foot width.

Anchoring Rankin Square on Broad were the Rankin Hotel and the cast iron First National Bank building on the northwest corner.

The Hotel was known as Cook's Hotel in 1860.

Purchased by Scotsman, James A. Rankin in 1864.

It was originally built of wood; burned in 1878; rebuilt as brick.

As it stands today the Rankin Hotel opened in 1880.

The "ladies of the night" entered from the northwest corner entrance (the storage room, closest to Broadway in the Rankin Hall).

The Rankin Hotel Ballroom was the scene of gala parties and dinners attended by a host of famous entertainers who were staying at the Rankin during their engagements at the nearby Springer Opera House.

The Hotel was the city's most fashionable in it hey day, frequently providing accommodations to noted actors performing in the Springer Opera House (1871).

Among many others, these well known personages included:

• Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish-born writer and wit.

• Tom Thumb (1838-1883) Real name Charles Sherwood Stratton. Actor. American entertainer, who was a curiosity due to his size. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Tom was a dwarf.

• Lily Langtry (1853-1929) Was said to be one of Britain's most beautiful actresses

• Otis Skinner (1858-1942) Noted American actor and author. Skinner was born in Cambridge Massachusetts.

• Marie Dressler. Real name Leila von Koerber, Actress; Canadian-born U.S. stage and movie actress. She won an Academy Award for her performance in "Min and Bill" (1930).

• John L. Sullivan (1858-1918) American boxer, born in Boston

• Daniel S. Hart. Actor

• Victor Herbert (1859-1924) Irish-born American composer, known for his highly popular operettas.

• John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) U.S. military bandmaster and composer. His rousing patriotic compositions include "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (1897). Known as the March King.

• William Jennings Bryan. Member of the House of Representatives, ran for President.

• Will Rogers (1887-1935) American humorist, actor and writer. Born on Oologah, Indian Territory.