In honor of German Village Society's
"Maifest Gala - Honoring our Caretakers",
we decided to highlight Steve Morbitzer who moved to German Village in 1978 with his two brothers and parents. He was 10 years old.
"Maifest Gala - Honoring our Caretakers",
we decided to highlight Steve Morbitzer who moved to German Village in 1978 with his two brothers and parents. He was 10 years old.
736 South Fifth Street
The Morbitzer's moved from rural Grove City to 736 South Fifth Street. Steve was thrilled to have easy access to friends that lived within walking/biking distance. In Grove City he had to depend on his parents to give him a ride to see anyone. Life was much more fun in German Village.
Schiller Park
The pond in Schiller Park in the 1940s
In the 1970s there was no playground at Schiller Park and the statue of Schiller leaned to the point Steve thought it was close to falling over. Kids sled on the hill and skated at the pond. The city of Columbus provided a person to overwatch the skating and had a fire in a barrel for warmth.
As an aside, the sledding hill in Schiller Park was made from dirt that was dug out of the ground to create the pond.
Jeff Stahler watercolor
BIERBERG BAKERY
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Steve and his siblings enjoyed many trips across Fifth Street to visit delicious Bierberg's Bakery during the holidays and get free broken cookies!
FRANK FETCH PARK
Frank Fetch Park began its life as a community green space created by the City of Columbus and named it in the 60s, Beck Square Park. In 1978, there would have been some grass, trees, and picnic tables. Today it is a lovely masterpiece with pergola, fountain and luscious plantings due to German Village Garten Club, generous residents, foundation donations and volunteers who help to maintain the park.
Steve and his wife, Teresa, buying Christmas trees from his elementary/junior high school alma mater - St Marys School German Village.
FAMILY HISTORY
Five Morbitzer siblings moved from the town of Rudelzau, then a part of the Austria Hungarian Empire and currently the Czech Republic, to Ohio in the 1880s.
A photo of Steve's Great Grandfather Alois Morbitzer standing to the left and his 10 sons including William (standing third in, Steve's grandfather}, after a baseball game on the South Side of Columbus around 1929.
Alois lived at 223 Hanford Street in what is now Merion Village. His house is no longer there, replaced by St Leo Oratory Catholic Church.
Steve's father, Jim (James Joseph), is in front of his uncle's vegetable cart in Bexley. He was born in 1925, grew up during the Great Depression, and hence started to work early in life.
Some Places to Eat & Drink in GV in the 1970s.
Golden Eagle was a casual restaurant and ice cream parlor. It is now Centos, an upscale Italian restaurant.
Max & Erma's was in action!
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Isaly's
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Thurn's Bakery took over Reiner's by 1978
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Became Lindey's in 1981 thanks to Sue Doody's vision!
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Schmidt's started as a meat packing business in the 1880s and converted to a restaurant in 1967.
Steve appreciates that the German Village area is constantly improving. Not just the homes, but streets, sidewalks, and parks. Frank Fetch Park is a real gem now. St. Mary’s School is vastly improved from when he graduated.
He also is thankful to have the German Village Society, not only for historical preservation, but also for building a sense of community. Everyone who lives down here, whether you own or rent, should join the society and get to know your neighbors.
He also is thankful to have the German Village Society, not only for historical preservation, but also for building a sense of community. Everyone who lives down here, whether you own or rent, should join the society and get to know your neighbors.
GV Neighborhood Night Out at the Athletic Club of Columbus 2026
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WHO Steve Morbitzer in German Village Issue LXIV
