Columbus, OH's Old CD/Tornado Siren System

[SirokatM1]

So recently I've been trying to find out what happened to Columbus' old siren system. I am aware of two deactivated Thunderbolts and an STL-10 downtown, but what else was in the system? When did the system start getting replaced? What happened to the sirens after un-installment? Whatever it is that ya'll know, I'd be more than happy to hear your information!

[Josh R]

So recently I've been trying to find out what happened to Columbus' old siren system. I am aware of two deactivated Thunderbolts and an STL-10 downtown, but what else was in the system? When did the system start getting replaced? What happened to the sirens after un-installment? Whatever it is that ya'll know, I'd be more than happy to hear your information!

I heard that their old Thunderbolts were scrapped following their removal. Where is the STL-10 you speak of? I know where the Thunderbolts are.

[SirokatM1]

I cant remember the exact location right now, but I found it on top of a building in the southeast part of downtown on google earth. When I get the time i will find you that location.

[Tuba]

According to this video (all credit to Calvin Mayer), this STL-10 was a Columbus unit.
So I assume some old ones may be out there, just not in Franklin county.

https://youtu.be/GMgo2cckxAk

Also, someone made a map of the CD system a couple years ago. The search function isn’t working for me, so I can’t find it right now.

Also, GO BUCKEYES!

[OHIO Desperado]

THe old sirens were scrapped or given to other Cities or Towns to be used. The Thunderbeam in Hebron is one or the old sirens from Columbus.

I don't know when the county took over the sirens, and went to Whelen, but prior to that they were City and township owned. The reason for the removal of them was pretty easy though. If there is a siren not working, people will call about it even if there is a siren right next to it that is operational.

It's been said that Franklin County has one of the biggest if not the biggest deployment of Whelen sirens.

[JonTishBass]

I know of a Federal Signal Model 5 located at a fire station somewhere near downtown. A WPS-3016 replaced it but the Model 5 still stands.

[SirokatM1]

Thank you guys for all the info so far! I really appreciate learning more about the old system. I have lived here since the last Thunderbolts were being uninstalled. Basically, I have lived here all my life. I am also curious as to what other siren models they had. I know about the Model 5, the STL's, the Thunderbolts etc. Im pretty sure there was at least one STH right?

[fire_freak_57]

THe old sirens were scrapped or given to other Cities or Towns to be used. The Thunderbeam in Hebron is one or the old sirens from Columbus.

I don't know when the county took over the sirens, and went to Whelen, but prior to that they were City and township owned. The reason for the removal of them was pretty easy though. If there is a siren not working, people will call about it even if there is a siren right next to it that is operational.

It's been said that Franklin County has one of the biggest if not the biggest deployment of Whelen sirens.

There was at least one if not two Franklin County CD sirens (Both Thunderbolt 1000’s, 1952 units) that were Federal Enterprises units. These units came from Cleveland/Cuyahoga County after CD was closed in the city and county in 1972 and all sirens were gone by 1973 (save for a couple suburbs that bought theirs off the county for use as weather sirens, and about 5 that were simply left abandoned to rot). There was a news article I believe with that siren in a picture on here but I cannot access it at the moment as search function is broken.

If I remember correctly that Thunderbolt went somewhere in Franklin County outside Columbus and is now long gone. One of their STL-10’s may have come from Cleveland as well as a place in Cuyahoga County had them but I’m not aware of that (as far as I know that STL could’ve been a fire siren and not used for CD purposes).

[Glist]

There was at least one if not two Franklin County CD sirens (Both Thunderbolt 1000’s, 1952 units) that were Federal Enterprises units. These units came from Cleveland/Cuyahoga County after CD was closed in the city and county in 1972 and all sirens were gone by 1973 (save for a couple suburbs that bought theirs off the county for use as weather sirens, and about 5 that were simply left abandoned to rot). There was a news article I believe with that siren in a picture on here but I cannot access it at the moment as search function is broken.

If I remember correctly that Thunderbolt went somewhere in Franklin County outside Columbus and is now long gone. One of their STL-10’s may have come from Cleveland as well as a place in Cuyahoga County had them but I’m not aware of that (as far as I know that STL could’ve been a fire siren and not used for CD purposes).

Not even close. Columbus purchased nine gridfaced "Bumblebolts" in June of 1952, only one of which is known to still exist in private possession. I've no idea where you got this info from, but they were not purchased from the city of Cleveland.

[SirokatM1]

There was at least one if not two Franklin County CD sirens (Both Thunderbolt 1000’s, 1952 units) that were Federal Enterprises units. These units came from Cleveland/Cuyahoga County after CD was closed in the city and county in 1972 and all sirens were gone by 1973 (save for a couple suburbs that bought theirs off the county for use as weather sirens, and about 5 that were simply left abandoned to rot). There was a news article I believe with that siren in a picture on here but I cannot access it at the moment as search function is broken.

If I remember correctly that Thunderbolt went somewhere in Franklin County outside Columbus and is now long gone. One of their STL-10’s may have come from Cleveland as well as a place in Cuyahoga County had them but I’m not aware of that (as far as I know that STL could’ve been a fire siren and not used for CD purposes).

Not even close. Columbus purchased nine gridfaced "Bumblebolts" in June of 1952, only one of which is known to still exist in private possession. I've no idea where you got this info from, but they were not purchased from the city of Cleveland.

Where in Columbus was that picture taken? Very neat to hear at least one is saved too.