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History of Ohio, USA
Journey back in time to Ohio, USA
Visit Ohio, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.




Do You Have Ohio Roots? Share Your Ancestral Story!

In 1803, Ohio was the first state to be carved out of the Northwest Territory. The Europeans who settled this region found hardwood forests that covered 95 percent of the land. Much of southern Ohio through which the ADT runs is still heavily wooded. The Appalachian Plateau in eastern Ohio has narrow valleys, steep hills, and many caves.
discoverytrail.org
Ohio is the leading producer of greenhouse and nursery plants.
Seven United States presidents were born in Ohio. They are: Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William H. Taft, and Warren G. Harding.
Some well-known personalities were born in Ohio. Among them Steven Spielberg, Paul Newman, Annie Oakley, Arsenio Hall and Clark Gable.
The first full time automobile service station was opened in 1899 in Ohio.
In 1852 Ohio was the first state to enact laws protecting working women.
Ohio gave America its first hot dog in 1900. Harry M. Stevens created the popular dining dog.
50states.com
Although Ohio is listed as the 17th state in the U.S., it is technically 47th because Congress forgot to vote on a resolution to admit it to the Union until 1953. legendsofamerica.com
"North and South Dakota both take their names from the Dakota, a tribe of Siouan people who lived in the region. No detailed etymology of Dakota is widely accepted, but the most common explanation is that it means “friend” or “ally” in the language of the Sioux.North and South Dakota both take their names from the Dakota, a tribe of Siouan people who lived in the region. No detailed etymology of Dakota is widely accepted, but the most common explanation is that it means “friend” or “ally” in the language of the Sioux." mentalfloss.com
Discover Ohio: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1748 - Ohio Company of Virginia organized to begin Ohio settlement
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996
1803 - Ohio became 17th state, first state west of Allegheny Mountains; Chillicothe named state capital
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
February 6, 1807 - It was the famous "Cold Friday" in the Midwest and South. The temperature did not rise above zero in Ohio and Kentucky.
WeatherForYou.com
WeatherForYou.com
1810 - Zanesville named state capital of Ohio
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1811 - First steamship sails on Ohio River
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996
1816 - State capital relocated to Columbus
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1832 - Ohio and Lake Erie Canal opened
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1835 - Boundary dispute between Ohio and Michigan caused Toledo War; Ohio granted contested lands around Toledo
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1852 - Ohio was the first state to enact laws protecting working women.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ ohio.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ ohio.html
1860 - May 1 – A Chondrite-type meteorite falls to earth in Muskingum County, Ohio near the town of New Concord.
wikipedia.org
May 1, 1860
wikipedia.org
May 1, 1860
1870 - John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil; Benjamin Goodrich opened rubber plant in Akron
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1876 - December 29 – The Ashtabula River Railroad bridge disaster occurs, leaving 92 dead.
wikipedia.org
December 29, 1876
wikipedia.org
December 29, 1876
1883 - Advice - Keep it to Yourself
You have trouble - your feelings are injured, your husband is unkind, your wife frets, your home is not pleasant your friends do not treat yon fairly, and things in general do not move pleasantly. WelL, what of it? Keep it to yourself. A smoldering .fire can be found and extinguished; but when the coals are scattered, who can pick them up? Bury your sorrow. The place for sad and distrusting things are under ground. A cut finger is never benefitted by pulling off the plaster and exposing it to somebody's eye. Tie it up and let it alone. Charity covers a multitude of sins. Things thus covered are often covered without a scar, but once published and confided to meddling friends, there is no end to the trouble they may cause. Keep it to yourself. Troubles are transient and when a sorrow is healed and passed, what a comfort it is to say: "No one ever knew it until the trouble was all over."
The Union County Journal
Marysville, Ohio
Thurs, December 13, 1883
You have trouble - your feelings are injured, your husband is unkind, your wife frets, your home is not pleasant your friends do not treat yon fairly, and things in general do not move pleasantly. WelL, what of it? Keep it to yourself. A smoldering .fire can be found and extinguished; but when the coals are scattered, who can pick them up? Bury your sorrow. The place for sad and distrusting things are under ground. A cut finger is never benefitted by pulling off the plaster and exposing it to somebody's eye. Tie it up and let it alone. Charity covers a multitude of sins. Things thus covered are often covered without a scar, but once published and confided to meddling friends, there is no end to the trouble they may cause. Keep it to yourself. Troubles are transient and when a sorrow is healed and passed, what a comfort it is to say: "No one ever knew it until the trouble was all over."
The Union County Journal
Marysville, Ohio
Thurs, December 13, 1883
1886 - ANOTHER TORNADO CAUSES GREAT DEVASTATION IN OHIO. HANCOCK, HARDIN AND ADJACENT COUNTIES ARE VISITED BY A TERRIFIC CYCLONE, DESTROYING LIFE AND PROPERTY.
A terrible tornado swept over the southern part of Hancock and northern part of Hardin county at a late hour Friday night carrying death and destruction in its path. At Forest, WILLIAM McELREE, wife and two children and mother-in-law, MRS. HIGGINS, were buried in the ruins of a large brick house, and the first named killed. The rest were injured, the last named fatally. MISS LEASE was killed in her house. ISSAC LAMBERT, 8 years of age, was buried under his house and fatally injured. A. L. PACKERT was fatally hurt by falling lumber. THOMAS MOORE was buried under the ruins of a large frame house and badly hurt. CHARLES PACKERT and J. V. THOMPSON, sleeping in the same bed in this house, were carried a long distance and landed safely in bed. THOMAS HART and wife were blown from bed in the second story, and the latter perhaps fatally hurt. The ten-year-old son of JACOB RUMMEL had his collar bone broken and was otherwise hurt.
Two churches were destroyed. Two brick school houses were... Read MORE...
A terrible tornado swept over the southern part of Hancock and northern part of Hardin county at a late hour Friday night carrying death and destruction in its path. At Forest, WILLIAM McELREE, wife and two children and mother-in-law, MRS. HIGGINS, were buried in the ruins of a large brick house, and the first named killed. The rest were injured, the last named fatally. MISS LEASE was killed in her house. ISSAC LAMBERT, 8 years of age, was buried under his house and fatally injured. A. L. PACKERT was fatally hurt by falling lumber. THOMAS MOORE was buried under the ruins of a large frame house and badly hurt. CHARLES PACKERT and J. V. THOMPSON, sleeping in the same bed in this house, were carried a long distance and landed safely in bed. THOMAS HART and wife were blown from bed in the second story, and the latter perhaps fatally hurt. The ten-year-old son of JACOB RUMMEL had his collar bone broken and was otherwise hurt.
Two churches were destroyed. Two brick school houses were... Read MORE...
1887 - COLLISION, FIRE AND EXPLOSION.
FOREST, Ohio, Sept. 19. - Special Telegram - Early this morning the second section on freight train No. 71, on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway ran into the rear of the first section, badly breaking up two locomotives and about ten cars loaded with freight. A dense fog prevailed at the time, and the accident occurred one mile west of this place. No persons was hurt by the accident, but about five minutes afterward, when both trains had stopped, and the trainmen were examining the cars to ascertain what damage was doe, and what help would be needed to clear the track, a terrible explosion occurred, caused by dynamite in one of the cars.
Edward Bough, a fireman of one of the engines, was instantly killed, the body being thrown a distance of 100 feet, and horribly mangled, J. R. Lyon, an engineer, was badly, but not fatally injured a few hours after by a boy throwing a cartridge into the firebox of the engine of which Lyon was in charge. What caused the first explosion so ... Read MORE...
FOREST, Ohio, Sept. 19. - Special Telegram - Early this morning the second section on freight train No. 71, on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway ran into the rear of the first section, badly breaking up two locomotives and about ten cars loaded with freight. A dense fog prevailed at the time, and the accident occurred one mile west of this place. No persons was hurt by the accident, but about five minutes afterward, when both trains had stopped, and the trainmen were examining the cars to ascertain what damage was doe, and what help would be needed to clear the track, a terrible explosion occurred, caused by dynamite in one of the cars.
Edward Bough, a fireman of one of the engines, was instantly killed, the body being thrown a distance of 100 feet, and horribly mangled, J. R. Lyon, an engineer, was badly, but not fatally injured a few hours after by a boy throwing a cartridge into the firebox of the engine of which Lyon was in charge. What caused the first explosion so ... Read MORE...
1888 - In the Ohio Legislature a bill was introduced on the 9th fixing passenger rates at two cents per mile on all railroads in the State.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 14, 1888
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 14, 1888
1888 - Gold Rings in a Bird's Nest
FINDLEY, Ohio, April 18 - This morning three or four boys were plaving on the Toledo, Columbus and Southern Railroad bridge when they discovered a bird's nest in the roof of the bridge, which they proceeded to investigate, On reaching the nest they were astonished to find, instead of eggs, a silk handkerchief in which was wrapped thirty-six solid gold rings, the cheapest of which jewellers say, is worth $5. This makes the value of the find not less than $200.
Shenandoah Herald
Woodstock, Virginia
Fri., April 27, 1888
FINDLEY, Ohio, April 18 - This morning three or four boys were plaving on the Toledo, Columbus and Southern Railroad bridge when they discovered a bird's nest in the roof of the bridge, which they proceeded to investigate, On reaching the nest they were astonished to find, instead of eggs, a silk handkerchief in which was wrapped thirty-six solid gold rings, the cheapest of which jewellers say, is worth $5. This makes the value of the find not less than $200.
Shenandoah Herald
Woodstock, Virginia
Fri., April 27, 1888
1894 - March 25 – Coxey's Army (of the unemployed), the first significant protest march in the United States, departs from Massillon, Ohio, for Washington, D.C.
wikipedia.org
March 25, 1894
wikipedia.org
March 25, 1894
1895 - Ohio
Ohio, a north central state of the American Union, bounded N. by the state of Michigan and Lake Erie, E. by Pennsylvania and West Virginia, S. by West Virginia and Kentucky, and W. by Indiana. The state limits include nearly all the Wine Islands of Lake Erie, along which lake the state has a water-front of 230 miles, while the navigable Ohio River divides it from West Virginia and Kentucky, washing the S.E. and S. border of the state for 436 miles. The longest E. and W, measurement is 225 miles; N. and S., 205 miles. Area, 41,060 square miles, of which about one-third is under cultivation, one-fifth pasture, and one sixth woodland. But a small percentage is unproductive...
The principal cities and towns, following the census of 1890, are Cincinnati, the largest city, and a great" port and manufacturing centre (pop. 296,90s); Columbus, the capital (1880, 51,647; 1890, 88,150); Cleveland. principal lake-port (261.353); Toledo (81.434), Dayton, 61,220), Youngstown (33,220),... Read MORE...
Ohio, a north central state of the American Union, bounded N. by the state of Michigan and Lake Erie, E. by Pennsylvania and West Virginia, S. by West Virginia and Kentucky, and W. by Indiana. The state limits include nearly all the Wine Islands of Lake Erie, along which lake the state has a water-front of 230 miles, while the navigable Ohio River divides it from West Virginia and Kentucky, washing the S.E. and S. border of the state for 436 miles. The longest E. and W, measurement is 225 miles; N. and S., 205 miles. Area, 41,060 square miles, of which about one-third is under cultivation, one-fifth pasture, and one sixth woodland. But a small percentage is unproductive...
The principal cities and towns, following the census of 1890, are Cincinnati, the largest city, and a great" port and manufacturing centre (pop. 296,90s); Columbus, the capital (1880, 51,647; 1890, 88,150); Cleveland. principal lake-port (261.353); Toledo (81.434), Dayton, 61,220), Youngstown (33,220),... Read MORE...
1899 - First full time automobile service station was opened in 1899 in Ohio.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ ohio.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ ohio.html
1900 - Ohio gave America its first hot dog in 1900. Harry M. Stevens created the popular dining dog.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ ohio.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ ohio.html
1903 - Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, began building airplanes in Dayton, Ohio
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1908 - August 8 – The Hoover Company of Canton, Ohio, acquires manufacturing rights to the upright portable vacuum cleaner just invented by James M. Spangler.
wikipedia.org
August 8, 1908
wikipedia.org
August 8, 1908
1924 - June 28 – A tornado touches down in Lorain, Ohio and kills 78 people.
wikipedia.org
June 28, 1924
wikipedia.org
June 28, 1924
1925 - Shenandoan dirigible crashed, killed 14
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1937 - Ohio River flooded, 750,000 people left homeless; East Ohio Gas Co. explosion killed 131
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1938 - Teflon invented by Ohioan Roy J. Plunkett
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ ohtimeln.htm
1958 - St. Lawrence Seaway completed
1970 - Kent State shootings - May 4 - Kent, Ohio
May 4, 1970
May 4, 1970
1973 - February 12 – Ohio becomes the first U.S. state to post distance in metric on signs
February 12, 1973
February 12, 1973
2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Ohio:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland):
Explore the history of rock 'n' roll and see iconic memorabilia from legendary musicians.
Cedar Point (Sandusky):
Experience the thrills of one of the world's best amusement parks with a variety of roller coasters and rides.
Hocking Hills State Park (Logan):
Discover stunning natural beauty with waterfalls, caves, and hiking trails in this picturesque park.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Columbus):
Enjoy a day of wildlife encounters and conservation education at one of the top zoos in the country.
Amish Country (Holmes County):
Immerse yourself in the Amish culture, visit quaint villages, and savor delicious homemade foods.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Cincinnati):
Explore the beautiful botanical gardens and see a diverse range of animals at this historic zoo.
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Canton):
Celebrate the history of American football and the legends of the game.
Ohio's Lake Erie Shores &... Read MORE...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland):
Explore the history of rock 'n' roll and see iconic memorabilia from legendary musicians.
Cedar Point (Sandusky):
Experience the thrills of one of the world's best amusement parks with a variety of roller coasters and rides.
Hocking Hills State Park (Logan):
Discover stunning natural beauty with waterfalls, caves, and hiking trails in this picturesque park.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Columbus):
Enjoy a day of wildlife encounters and conservation education at one of the top zoos in the country.
Amish Country (Holmes County):
Immerse yourself in the Amish culture, visit quaint villages, and savor delicious homemade foods.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Cincinnati):
Explore the beautiful botanical gardens and see a diverse range of animals at this historic zoo.
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Canton):
Celebrate the history of American football and the legends of the game.
Ohio's Lake Erie Shores &... Read MORE...
Our Ohio Gift Ideas
Discover Your Roots: Ohio Ancestry
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