Three years after a devastating fire, the historic Gordonido house on Wynnton Road in Columbus remains a haunting reminder of the fragility of our cultural heritage. This once-vibrant neighborhood landmark, built in 1837, has suffered significant damage, leaving residents like Clason Kyle with a sense of loss and disappointment. Kyle, a Columbus historian and resident of the Overlook neighborhood, reminisces about his childhood memories of Gordonido, a place of joy and celebration. The fire, which occurred on October 7, 2023, was swift and destructive, leaving gaping holes in the roof, tall grass surrounding the property, and shattered windows. The cause, as per the incident report, was an electrical failure, with no human factors contributing to the ignition. The aftermath has been a stark contrast to the house's former glory, as described by the Southern Accents magazine in 1980, where it was extolled for its antique chandeliers, 140-year-old camellias, and Chippendale armchairs.
The fire has had a profound impact on the Overlook community, with residents like Kyle and Bitsy Dedwylder expressing their sorrow over the loss of this historic home. John Greenman, a former publisher of the Ledger-Enquirer, and his wife initially thought the house was not terribly damaged, but the lack of subsequent maintenance has raised concerns. The property's neglect is evident in the tall grass and the lack of effort to restore it, with MidTown Inc. submitting complaints to the city about the mowing of the grass.
The fire also had legal implications, with the city attorney's office not responding to inquiries about property complaints, liens, or permit submissions. The owners, Danny Burke and Wayne Cook, sold the property to Charly Vazquez for $220,000 in September 2024, a significant decrease from the pre-fire fair market value of $978,290. Vazquez then applied to rezone the property from residential office to single-family residential, a move that was supported by the Columbus Council in October 2025.
The future of Gordonido remains uncertain, with Dedwylder of MidTown Inc. acknowledging the organization's limitations in purchasing and maintaining the property. However, there is hope among residents like Kyle and Greenman that the house can be restored to its former glory. Greenman, a former publisher of the Ledger-Enquirer, believes that preservation is the signature of Columbus and that a similar drive for restoration could salvage Gordonido. Kyle, who has dedicated much of his life to Columbus preservation, remains optimistic, envisioning a future where the house across from his sunroom could be restored to a version more like the mansion he knew from childhood.
