Ohio is the seventh most populous state that located in the midwestern region of the United States. It’s bordered by Lake Erie to the north and 5 other states: Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the west, and Michigan to the northwest. The Buckeye State, Birthplace of Aviation and The Heart of It All are popular nicknames for Ohio. We will talk about interesting Ohio facts to learn more about this “Buckeye State”.
1. The State Flag of Ohio is the Only Non-Rectangular Flag of All States in the United States
Ohio is the only state that has a non-rectangular flag. The Ohio state flag is named The Ohio Burgee and comes with triangular swallowtail shape. The state flag of Ohio was designed in 1901 by John Eisenmann for the Pan-American Exposition. It was adopted as the state flag of Ohio in 1902. Before 1902, for nearly a century after the statehood, Ohio didn’t have any state flag.
2. Columbus is the Capital and Largest City of Ohio
Columbus is the capital city of Ohio. It’s also the largest city. Although Columbus is the largest city, Columbus is not the only largest metropolitan area in Ohio. There are three largest metropolitan areas in Ohio with more than 2,000,000 population: Cincinnati metropolitan area, Columbus metropolitan area and Cleveland metropolitan area (Greater Cleveland). Although Cincinati has the largest population than the other two, Columbus Metropolitan Area is the one that entirely located in Ohio.
3. Seven Presidents of the United States were Born in Ohio
More presidents of the United States were born in Ohio than any other states except Virginia. Seven presidents were born in Ohio while eight presidents were born in Virginia. The seven presidents that were born in Ohio are Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G. Harding. Because of that Ohio is nicknamed “mother of presidents” along with Virginia. Ohio is also nicknamed “modern mother of presidents” to distinct from Virginia as the origin of presidents from the earlier American history.
4. Ohio Stadium is the Fifth Largest Stadium in the World
Ohio Stadium is American Football stadium that was built in 1922 and located in Columbus, Ohio. When it was built, Ohio stadium was the largest poured concrete structure in the world. Ohio stadium is the home venue of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team that represents Ohio State University. Ohio stadium has 102,780 capacity that makes it the third largest in the United States behind Michigan Stadium (107,601) and Beaver Stadium (106,572).
5. Ohio Has the Largest Amish Population Behind Pennsylvania
Together with Pennsylvania, Ohio is home to the largest Amish population in the United States. The Amish population of Ohio is only slightly lower than Pennsylvania. The largest Amish settlements in Ohio are located in Holmes, Wayne, Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Stark counties. The Amish population is rapidly growing because of their large family size (seven children on average).
6. Ohio is the Largest Producer of Plastic and Rubber in the United States
Ohio has the third largest manufacturing by GDP and manufacturing jobs of all the states in the United States. It is only behind California and Texas. Ohio is the leading state for plastic and rubber manufacturing of the United States. It’s also a leading producer of fabricated metals, electrical equipment, and appliances. Ohio is also the second largest in automobile production.
7. Ohio Ranks First in the Production of Swiss Cheese in the United States
Ohio is the leading producer of Swiss cheese in the United States. Brewster Cheese is also the company from Brewster, Ohio that produces the largest Swiss cheese in the United States. Swiss cheese is any variety of cheese that resembles a yellow, medium-hard cheese originated in the area around Emmental, Switzerland. The blocks or rounds of the Swiss cheese are riddled with holes known as “eyes”.
8. Campbell Hill is the Highest Natural Point in Ohio
At 1,549.09 feet (472.16 m) elevation, Campbell Hill is the highest natural point in Ohio. Campbell Hill is located around 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of downtown Bellefontaine. Bellefontaine is a city and the county seat of Logan County, Ohio. Campbell Hill was the home of Bellefontaine Air Force Station that was closed in 1969. It’s now used by Ohio Hi-Point Career Center that is open to visitors Monday through Friday.
9. Northern Cardinal is the Official State Bird of Ohio
The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is the official state bird of Ohio that was designated in 1933. The northern cardinal, or just cardinal before 1985, is mid-sized songbird that can be found from southeastern Canada, eastern United States to Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. The northern cardinal is the most popular state bird with seven states adopted it as their state bird. Besides the state bird of Ohio, the northern cardinal is also the state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
10. Buckeye is the Official State Tree of Ohio
The official state tree of Ohio is Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra). Buckeye also becomes the nickname of Ohio, The Buckeye State as well as Ohio residents (colloquially). The buckeye is a species of tree native to North America primarily in the Midwestern and lower Great Plains regions. The natural habitat of Buckeye is typically calcareous areas including streambanks, upland mesic forests, and along the margins of old fields.
Since there are many more interesting facts about Ohio besides those 10 facts that we talked above, it’s surely a good idea if you want to share any other interesting facts about Ohio with us here.