What is The Bottoms?  It is the former name for Franklinton.  It is the name used for well over a century for the area between downtown and the Hilltop.  At about the time folks in the near north side began embracing the name “Short North,” people in The Bottoms decided that their name carried too many negative connotations and began calling their neighborhood Franklinton.

“Short North,” a term used by police and taxicab companies to describe the area between downtown and The Ohio State University, had terrible connotations in the early 1980s.  “Short North” meant prostitution, drug dealing and abandoned buildings.  It was, however, authentic, and it ultimately became cachet.

“Franklinton” is not a bad name for a neighborhood.  But it cannot compete with “The Bottoms” for authenticity.  “The Bottoms” is exotic, mysterious and appealing.

Where would you rather go dancing?