She would turn heads as she walked down the Columbus sidewalk. Awestruck passersby noticed a similarity to a certain Hollywood actress and pin-up girl. In 1943 and 1944 our town was home to the beautiful actress, Jane Russell. No bevy of bodyguards and no entourage, Russell lived here, worked regular jobs and rode public transportation.

At the time of her visit Russell had made only one movie, The Outlaw, but it made her famous. It was aWestern about Billy the Kid, but in actuality the star was her bountiful curves. Although rated PG today, it simply stupefied every male who saw it in 1943 and turned Russell into America’s number one pin-up girl. Conversely, it also made her the bane of many a Columbus ladies’ social meeting.

She arrived here in early June 1943 as just another newlywed Army bride. Her husband, former UCLA quarterback Bob Waterfield, had left the gridiron to attend Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning. Devoted wife Russell soon left her Howard Hughes payroll to be near him.

Upon arrival at Ft. Benning she commuted daily by bus to apartment hunt in crowded, war-time Columbus. After three hot, muggy days, she found that elusive rental at 445 Broad Street, the home of 46-year-old widow, EthelW. Rutledge.

445 Broad Street
For the Minnesota-born, Californiaraised Russell, this was probably her first look at Southern architecture in all its subdued grandeur. The 1890 Folk Victorian house was a true gem of the era, bristling with hefty millwork, tall ceilings, and Victorian trim. She shared the fourroom house with Mrs. Rutledge and rented the Rutledge boys’ former room. One can only imagine how thrilled the
boys must have been to receive a letter from Mom telling them who was renting their old room!

Russell knew she was in the midst of Southern hospitality. She could play a tune on the parlor piano, cook some breakfast in the kitchen and pitch in with the chores. When her cousin Patricia joined her from California, that small room got a bit crowded, but all that mattered was being near her officer-candidate husband. She was glad to forsake an acting career for evening phone calls and weekend visits with her beloved.

While sitting on the porch one afternoon...

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