The Westerville Police Museum is located
in the lobby of the Westerville Justice Building at
229 Huber Village Blvd., Westerville, OH 43081
The first settlers in the Westerville area arrived around 1806. It wasn’t until 1858 that Westerville was officially incorporated with a population of 275 residents. In the 1870’s the battle between the pro- and anti-temperance forces became what is known now as the Westerville Whisky Wars. During 1875-1879 Henry Corbin made two attempts to open a saloon in Westerville and each time the saloon was blown up by the town people. Westerville became known for its temperance and in 1909 the Anti-Saloon League moved its national headquarters to Westerville and led the Prohibition movement from here. Westerville became known at the Dry Capital of the World.
The early laws of Westerville were simple and broad and in 1859 the first laws were written into an Ordinance.
Ordinance #1- Indecent or Immoral Practices Forbidden
Other Examples regulated:
- Noisy people
- Swearing
- Alcoholic beverages
- Indecent pictures or books
- Common labor in the streets
- Stores or homes open on Sunday
- Gambling
- Prostitutes or vagrants
The first law enforcement officers were night watchmen hired by businesses in town to guard their stores. 1916 was the first year that any record exists that refers to the town appointing a law enforcement officer. In that year, George Edward Tedrow was appointed as town Marshall and continued in that capacity until his retirement in 1921.
The Westerville Division of Police has come a long way since then. The Department has collected together many of the old uniforms, weapons and tools used thorough the years. You can check out the displays at the Police Museum in the lobby of the new Justice Center at 229 Huber Village Blvd. The museum is open 8 AM to 6 PM weekdays.
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Mini Tour of Westerville Police Museum
Short history of Westerville Police Cruisers
