Harding Hospital to Boundless
- Worthington Campus
- BoundlessFuture
A Brief History
1916-19: Harding Hospital, known as Columbus Rural Rest Home, was founded in 1916 by George T Harding II, MD. Originally located in Columbus, the hospital moved to its fifty-acre Worthington campus in 1919.
1950s: The 1950’s was a new era in psychiatric care. New drug treatments were introduced when traditional methods no longer seemed effective. A new Day Treatment Program began with patients living at home in supervised halfway houses, a more efficient alternative to in-patient hospitalization.
1960-70: In the 60’s and 70’s, Dr. George T. Harding IV started a number of community based educational and public service programs, through the Franklin County Mental Health Board. In a co-operative program with the Worthington schools, a branch campus was established on the hospital grounds. A twenty-four-hour mental health emergency services program was also created in collaboration with community agencies.
1981: Demolition of the Harding Lodge.
1999: Harding Hospital campus became a part of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical campus.
2014: Step-by-Step purchases the site from Ohio State, utilizing portions of the facility to provide mental health services.
2017: I Am Boundless, Inc. — previously known as Franklin County Residential Services — joined Step-by-Step. Boundless is a nonprofit providing person-centered care to children, adults, and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or behavioral health challenges.
