When Karla Rothan welcomes guests into her beautifully restored Victorian Village home, they step into a piece of living history. Built in 1875, the residence still carries traces of its past life as a doctor’s office—an enclosed porch that once served as a waiting room and cabinetry likely used for medical supplies remain intact. Rothan discovered through her research that many doctors in the early 1900s lived and worked in this Columbus neighborhood, often keeping their medical practices on the first floor. The home’s preservation of original details, including stained glass, transoms and fireplaces, keeps that heritage alive even after a complete renovation.
The home’s legacy also reflects the pioneering spirit of Rothan’s late spouse, Linda Schuler, who purchased and began restoring it in 1995. Schuler had been one of the first women in Columbus to secure renovation loans independently in the 1970s, revitalizing Victorian Village when many of its historic homes were falling into disrepair. The couple, who met through local theater in 1996, combined their talents and love for art, travel and preservation to make the 3,000-square-foot house a warm reflection of their shared life. Their story intertwines the rebirth of a neighborhood with a personal journey of restoration, creativity and enduring love.
