I have two old washboards in my basement.   They were made by the Columbus Washboard Company.   They are the Dubl Handi model which is the first style pictured in a  Wikipedia enty about 'washboards.'  

The funny note on the back of my Dubl Handi washboards is: 

IDEAL FOR SILKS, HOSIERY AND LINGERIE
OR HANDKERCHIEFS
JUST THE RIGHT SIZE TO FIT IN A BUCKET,
PAIL OR LAVORATORY

PACKS EASILY INTO SUIT CASE
OR TRAVELING BAG

COLUMBUS WASHBOARD CO., COLUMBUS OHIO

Yes all in caps, I guess yelling was OK!  On the front side my washboards say:

USE EITHER SIDE ACCORDING TO FABRIC

I personally can't tell the difference in the two surfaces. 

Columbus Washboard Company is no longer in Columbus but still in Ohio. Columbus Washboard Company moved to Hocking County in 1998.  The company still make washboards.  The Columbus Washboard Companies website  has a great history of the company founded in Columbus Ohio in 1895!    

From the Columbus Washboard Company Website:

"The Columbus Washboard Company manufactures the only washboard made in the USA today. This site features, our products, craft ideas, artisan items for sale, the Washboard Music Festival, musician boards, our history and much more.

"From 1931 to 1938, twenty two other washboard names were introduced to the market place. Of these only five survived into the 1980's. These brands, which are all trademarked, are Dubl Handi, Maid-Rite Silver, Maid-Rite Brass, Sunnyland, and Crystal Cascade. Fortunately most of the original dies and designs have been maintained by the Company."

Visit the Columbus Washboard website for instructions on 'HOW TO USE A WASHBOARD"

My two Dubl Handi washboards would be from sometime in the 1930's until the 80's, I guess. 

Rand McNally's Best of the Road 2006 takes a trip from downtown Columbus sites  to West Virginia with a stop in Hocking Hills followed by a visit to the Columbus Washboard Company in Logan Ohio.  

Copyright 2006 Columbus Best Blog and Maureen McCabe