OHIO FROM A TO Z

A IS FOR AGRICULTURE, AMISH, & ARCHEOLOGY

• Information about AGRICULTURE is provided the The Ohio Department of Agriculture. The State Soil is Miamim. Ohio has 4-H Clubs and Future Farmers of America groups.

• The Amish way of life largely revolves around working and socializing together as a family and community. Holmes County is home to the largest Amish settlement in the world.

• ARCHEOLOGY and paleontology events are held throughout the year. Ohio celebrates ARCHEOLOGY Month. The state protects archeological sites. The earliest people that have left archeological records were the Adena Culture which evolved into the Hopewell Culture. The National Parks Service has an archeology program.

• Ohio has many BEACHES on rivers and lakes. Alum Creeek Reservoir has the largest inland beach in the state. Beach Park has a tropical theme. The Ohio Department of Health has a Beach Monitoring Program.

• Many species of BIRDS are found throughout Ohio and there are several Birding Clubs. Bird watching is popular and there are many Birding Sites in the state. The State Bird is the Northern Cardinal. There are 3 endangered birds.

• Ohio has many BRIDGES including Historic Bridges and Suspension Bridges, and many Covered Bridges. The Y Bridge in Zanesville is the 5th construction at the same place. The Zoarville Station Bridge of Camp Tuscazoar is the only known Fink through truss bridge in the country.

• Chillicothe served as the CAPITAL of Ohio from the beginning of statehood in 1803 until 1810 when Zanesville became the capital for two years. In 1812 the capital moved back to Chillicothe until 1816 when the capital moved to Columbus. Akron is the Rubber Capital of the World.

• All forms of COMMUNICATIONS are available throughout Ohio including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, telephone, and Internet. The state has several 9 area codes. There are many Web Cams , and Internet service is available throughout the state.

• Ohio has 88 COUNTIES. The largest county is Ashtabula and Lake County is the smallest. Cuyahoga has the largest population and Rising Sun (actually a village) has the smallest. Fostoria is the only city situated in 3 counties (Seneca, Hancock & Wood). To commemorate Ohio's bicentennial in 2003, a barn painter painted a bicentennial mural on a barn in each county. The term county is the level of local government below the state itself.

• Ohio has 10 DAMS. The O'Shaughnessy Dam is a hydroelectric Dam. It forms a resouvoir and is a major source of drinking water for the city of Columbus. The use of Wind Power is being increased and other sources of power are being investigated. The Army Corps of Engineers has Dam projects in the state, and the state has a Dam Safety Program.

• The State Dance is The Charleston. The State Rock Song is Hang on Sloopy.

• No Mesozoic rocks are believed to be in Ohio so there probably not any DINOSAURS.A variety of fossils have been found in the state. Most of the remains have come from cave or bog sites that have been systematically excavated. A Giant Roach Fossil has been found in a coal mine. The State Fossil is the Trilobite.

• Information about EARTHQUAKES in Ohio is provided by the USGS. The 1st recorded earthquake in Ohio occurred in 1875, the largest in 1937, and the last in 2008. FEMA provides information about earthquakes.

• The Ohio Department of EDUCATION oversees public education. It is provided free and is compulsory for any child from 6 to 18. The State also has private schools that are required to comply with state standards and regulations. The first kindergarten in the country began in Columbus. Information about schools in Ohio is available from GreatSchools and SchoolBug.

• A variety of EVENTS and festivals & celebrations are held throughout Ohio during the year. The State Fair is held in Columbus and is one of the largest in the country. There are also County Fairs and Arts & Crafts Shows. The first Soap Box Derby was held in Dayton. The state observes State & Federal Holidays.

• Many species of FISH are found in lakes, rivers, and ponds in Ohio, and fishing is a popular activity. The number one steelhead trout stream in the country is at the mouth of Conneaut Creek. The unofficial State Fish is the Walleye. The state operates 6 Fish Hatcheries.
• Ohio has a uniquely shaped State FLAG. All counties have a flag, and they are flown at the Ohio Statehouse on special occasions throughout the year. Some The Piqua Sept Shawnee Tribe has its own flag. Ohio has had an official State Seal for more than two hundred years. The State Motto is "With God All Things Are Possible". The Pink Panther is the State Character.

• Ohio has FOOD Festivals and Events. The Ohio Food Bank distributes food and other grocery items to the people in Ohio who are in need.

• Wayne National FOREST is the only National Forest in the state, but there are many State Forests. State Tree is the Buckeye. Ohio has 11 National Champion Big Trees.

• The GEOLOGY of Ohio dates back to rocks older than 250 millions years ago. Find out about the paleontology of the state.The state has been a leading U.S. producer of coal, industrial minerals, and oil & gas. Other minerals include limestone, dolomite, salt, sandstone, conglomerate, clay, shale, gypsum, peat, and sand and gravel. DNR Mineral Resource Management Division provides for the safe and environmentally sound development and restoration of mineral and fossil fuel extraction sites. The Ohio Geological Survey provides geologic information and services need for responsible management of natural resources in the state. The state has several gemstones including chalcedony and fossil coral. The State gemstone is Ohio Flint.

• Ohio has many GHOST TOWNS. The town of Ai has about 150 residents and an elementary school. MarL City has some old kilns and buildings. It is where the cement was made to make the first concrete paved street in the country.
• The GLOBAL POSITION of Ohio is approximately 39 degrees north and 82 degrees south. Delaware is the geographic center of the state. The state has 5 major regions. The topography of Ohio includes 3 major natural regions. The highest point is Campbell Hill, and the lowest is the Ohio River. Geocaching is a popular game using a global positioning finder, and there are many geocaches in Ohio.

• Ohio has many HISTORIC SITES. The National Trust helps protect historic places in the state.

• The HISTORY of Ohio dates back to 13,000 BC when the Paleoindians lived there in the last century of the ice age. Recorded history began in 1670 when the region was claimed by France. Marietta was founded in 1788 and was the first permanent settlement in Ohio. Ohio participates in National History Day.

• Ohio has a variety of INDUSTRIES including historically strong industries, such as motor vehicle manufacturing, and agriculture. New and developing industries include the information industry and food processing. The ambulance service was established in Cincinnati in 1865. In 1852 Ohio was the first state to enact laws protecting working women. Trade Shows are held throughout the year.

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  A wide variety of INSECTS are found in Ohio including many species of butterflies & moths. The state has a chapter of the North America Butterfly Association and has an Odonota (dragonfly) Society. The official State Insect is the Ladybug.

• Ohio has many ISLANDS in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Middle Bass Island is the central island of a trio of islands known as the Three Sisters and is flanked by North Bass Island, and South Bass Island. The glacial grooves on the north side of Kelleys Island are the largest easily accessible such grooves in the world.

• Ohio has many JAZZ and Blues Festivals and clubs. There are many other musical events. Many cities have Opera Companies and Bands & Orchestras. Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ohio has KARST and caves. Crystal Cave is the largest geode in the world and is open to the public. Ash Cave is the largest recess cave in the state. The National Speleological Society has chapters in Ohio that provide information about caving. The National Park Service has a Cave and Karst Program.
• Many aspects of life in Ohio focus on KIDS, and the state has a Kids Page. The Department of Fish & Wildlife has a Kids Page about Ohio wildlife. NOAA has a Kids Page about the weather. AG in the Classroom has a Kids Page about agriculture in the state. The National Agriculture Statistic Service has a Kids page.

• Ohio has 2,500 LAKES and many reservoirs. The major lakes are Lake Erie, and Grand Lake. Chippewa Lake is the largest natural inland lake in the state and Glendening Lake is the largest undeveloped lake. Grand Lake St. Marys is an artificial lake and home to the 1st offshore oil well in the world.

• Public LIBRARIES are located throughout Ohio. There are also many Academic Libraries. The state has 66 Bookmobiles. Most of the libraries have internet access and special programs. The State Library is in Columbus.

• Ohio has at least 24 LIGHTHOUSES. Marblehead light is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. Celina Light is located on a man-made lake. The most important aspect of a lighthouse is the light that comes from the tower.

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  Ohio has several MILITARY installations. The only active base is Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The Ohio National Guard maintains its presence in 54 counties in the state. The state has had 4 forts - Fort Miami, Fort Meigs, Fort Recovery, and Fort Steuben.

• Ohio has 3 MOUNTAINS - Campbell Hill, Gildersleeve Mountain, and Mount Jefferson. Much of eastern and southeastern Ohio are covered by the Appalachian Mountains or their foothills.

• A variety of MUSEUMS are located throughout Ohio and many of them are free. There are also Art Museums, Historic House Museums and Historical Museums. Dayton is home to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force - the largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world. The Ohio Statehouse Museum has served as the literal and symbolic center of Ohio since 1861. The John Glenn Museum honors the first American to orbit earth.

The NAME Ohio came from an Iroquoian word meaning ?great river?. Residents are called Ohioans or Buckeyes. It has been nicknamed the "Mother of Presidents", "The Buckeye State", the Birthplace of Aviation, the Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad, the Yankee State, and the "Heart of It All". Columbus earned its nickname "The Arch City" because of the dozens of metal (formerly wooden) arches that spanned High Street at the turn of the 20th century.
• The Fort Ancient Culture was the last of the Ancient Cultures found in Ohio. After they dissappeared in the 17th century, increasing numbers of NATIVE AMERICANS settled in Ohio including the Algonquin and the Iroquois. Ohio has several Tribes, and Powwows are held during the year.

• Ohio has OBSERVATORIES and planetariums. Most offer classes as well as programs for the general public. Ohio also has astronomical societies. Many places observe Astronomy Day.

P IS FOR PARKS, POPULATION, & PORTS

• Ohio has many PARKS including a National Park & National Historic Sites. Cuyahoga Valley National Park has many attractions including trails, waterfalls, and animal life. There are many State Parks. There are also Theme Parks and Amusement Parks.

• Ohio has a POPULATION of nearly 12 million people and is the 7th most populated state. Many well-known people have called Ohio their home, and it has been the native state of 7 U.S. presidents and the residence of another. Astronauts from Ohio include John Glenn and Neil Armstrong. Thomas Edison developed the incandescent light blub, phonograph, and early motion picture camera. John Lambert made the first automobile in the country. The first electric automatic traffic light was invented by Garrett Morgan. Teflon was invented by Roy J. Plunkett. Other inventions by Ohioans include the arc light, cash register, and the pop-top can.

• Ohio has 8 PORTS. Seven of them are along the north coast and one is inland. The City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County collaborated to create the Port of Greater Cincinati Development Authority. The Port of Conneaut offers fishing, boating, launch ramps, marina services, picnic locations, charter boats, Classic car & boat show, and one of the best wind surfing locations on Lake Erie. The Port of Cleveland has a Kids Club.

• A QUARTER was issued by the U.S. Mint for each state according to its admission date. Ohio was admitted to the union in 1803 and a quarter was issued in its honor in 2002. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page.

• QUILTING is popular in Ohio and Quilt Guilds are located throughout the state. There are also Weaving & Spinning Guilds.
• Take a QUIZ about Ohio.
  1.Map quiz
  2.Trivia quiz
  3. Information quiz

• Ohio is home to many species of REPTILES and amphibians. The Black Racer Snake is the Official Reptile of Ohio. The state has 3 venomous snakes. The Ohio Division of Wildlife provided information on how to catch a turtle and what to do with them.

• Ohio has many RIVERS and creeks. The major rivers are the Ohio, Cuyahoga, Miami, Maumee, Muskingham, Scioto, and Sandusky. The longest river in the state is the Ohio.The Cuyahoga River is designated an American Heritage River. There are over 700 miles of Scenic Rivers in Ohio. American Rivers is an organization that protects and restores river systems in the country.