Ohio Fun Facts - Ohio Has IT

Northwest Ohio

The Marblehead Lighthouse had the first female keeper on the Great Lakes. (Marblehead)

Lima is home to the second oldest burger chain in the world (began in 1923), Kewpee Hamburger! With a slogan stating “Hamburg Pickle on Top! Makes Your Heart Go Flippity Flop!”, they only use locally sourced beef for their square hamburgers and spicy chili. And their mascot is none other than the nostalgic Kewpee Doll from the roaring ’20s! (Lima)

Put-In-Bay is the home to the world’s largest geode, known as the Crystal Cave at Heimeman’s Winery. (Put-In-Bay)

Sandusky was an important Underground Railroad site and Harriet Beecher Stowe wove Sandusky into her book Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852). (Sandusky)

Thomas Edison, inventor of the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, and many other devices that make our lives fuller and simpler, was born in Milan, Ohio, in 1847. The Edison Birthplace Museum features a collection of rare Edisonia, including examples of many of Edison’s early inventions, documents, and family mementos. (Milan)

Northeast Ohio

Playhouse Square in Cleveland is home to the Guinness World Record’s largest permanent, outdoor crystal GE Chandelier. (Cleveland)

Our nation’s current trucking industry began in Akron, Ohio in 1930 with the creation of Roadway Express – needed to move tires (Akron was the Rubber Capital of the World) from Akron to points around the U.S. (Akron)

The Warner Brothers lived in Youngstown prior to moving to Hollywood to start their motion picture empire. The magnificent Powers Auditorium/DeYor Performing Arts Center in downtown Youngstown was built as a tribute to brother Sam Warner, the father of the “talking” motion picture. (Youngstown)

Canton is home to the world’s largest troll collection; The Troll Hole Museum houses a Guinness World Record collection at almost 9,000 unique troll dolls. (Canton)

The Shawshank Redemption movie was filmed in Mansfield, OH. Visit ShawshankTrail.com for all filming sites, photos, and events. (Mansfield)

Most Amish homes are completely off the grid. Historically, windmills have been used to pump water. The Amish also use solar power and may run generators for short periods to charge batteries. Many Old Order Amish appliances are run off of natural gas. The Amish were green before it was cool! (Holmes County)

Northeast Ohio (cont.)

Lake Erie has had more shipwrecks than all the other Great Lakes combined.

Life Savers candy was created near Cleveland by Clarence Crane in 1912 as a “summer candy” that could withstand heat better than chocolate. (Cleveland)

Playhouse Square in Cleveland is the largest performing arts center in the United States outside of New York City. (Cleveland)

The buggy is the main source of transportation for Amish. They travel at a typical speed of 5-7 miles per hour. You can tell what kind of church an Amish family attends by their buggy. Do they have sliding doors or roll-up doors? What kind of reflectors or lights? In short, the “fancier” the buggy, the more progressive the Amish church. (Holmes County)

John D. Rockefeller moved to a suburb of Cleveland at the age of 14. In 1870, he founded Standard Oil of Ohio. In 1916, he achieved the status of first billionaire. He is buried in Cleveland’s beautiful Lakeview Cemetery. (Cleveland)

Holmes County produces the most Swiss cheese in Ohio. Swiss families immigrated to Amish Country looking for opportunity. They found Amish farm country, a perfect spot to produce high-quality, award-winning cheese from the milk produced here. Baby Swiss cheese and yogurt cheese were both created in Amish Country. Swiss cheese and Trail bologna sandwiches are a local favorite! (Holmes County)

The Immel Circus Gallery at Massillon Museum showcases a 100-sq.ft. miniature circus with 2,620 hand-carved pieces. (Massillon)

Amish clothing is based in scripture. They adhere to strict rules regarding clothing and lifestyle. Rejecting worldly fashions, they embrace centuries-old traditions of plain and simple clothing. Their peasant-style garb reflects humility and commitment to their Anabaptist heritage. Women follow Apostle Paul’s admonition to cover their heads by wearing a thin, white cap signifying their acceptance of God’s order of authority in the home. (Holmes County)

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens (former estate of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company co-founder, F. A. Seiberling) is the 6th largest historic home in the U.S. open to the public. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s world headquarters remains in Akron. (Akron)

John Glenn learned to fly at Harry Clever Field located in New Philadelphia. (New Philadelphia)

Historic Zoar Village is the site of America’s most successful communal living society. (Zoar)

The 85-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail traverses four northeast Ohio counties, from Ohio’s Amish Country to Cleveland. (Holmes County to Cleveland)

Amish church services are conducted in a mixture of German and Pennsylvania Dutch. Scripture is usually recited from a German Bible. And the Ausbund, or hymn book, also is in German. They sing hymns slowly with no musical accompaniment. (Holmes County)

Northeast Ohio (cont.)

Ferdinand Schumacher “The Oatmeal King” began packaging oats for human consumption in Akron in the early 1900s – becoming the iconic Quaker Oats Company. (Akron)

A hot spot for movies, the following were filmed in Cleveland: A Christmas Story (1983), American Splendor (2003), Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014), Fun Size (2012), Welcome to Collinwood (2002), Air Force One (1997), Jenny’s Wedding (2015), The Deer Hunter (1978), American Ninja Warrior (2017), Draft Day (2014), Antwone Fisher (2002), The Avengers (2012), Spiderman 3 (2007). (Cleveland)

Tuscora Park, located in New Philadelphia, features a 1928 vintage Herschell-Spillman carousel that has been operating at the park since 1941. (New Philadelphia)

Amish folks hold church in their homes, not in a church building. They meet for church every other Sunday in a member’s house, barn or outbuilding. The church wagon holds the backless benches used in church. You can always tell which family in the neighborhood is preparing for church by whether the church wagon is in front. The benches are set up for the service and men sit on one side, while women sit on the other. (Holmes County)

William McKinley was the last president to have served in the American Civil War, and he was the only one to begin his service as an enlisted man and end as a brevet major. After the war, he settled in Canton, Ohio, where he practiced law and married Ida Saxton. (Canton)

Charles Follis, the First African American professional football player was raised in Wooster and played football at Wooster High School. (Wooster)

Superman was created in Cleveland in 1933 by residents, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Lois Lane was modeled after Jerry Siegel’s wife. (Cleveland)

Ohio Amish Country comprises the largest cluster of hardwood builders in the nation. The production of high-quality furniture in Ohio Amish Country is nothing new. Starting with individual craftsmen, the process of making furniture was done for family and neighbors as part of a heritage of independence. Today, artisans craft beautiful, high-quality furniture designed to endure for generations. (Holmes County)

Stark County is home to 83 registered historic sites. (Stark County)

Famous Akronites include: the band, DEVO; Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders; Grammy-Award winners, The Black Keys; super model, Angie Everhart; beloved singer, James Ingram; and cartoonist/creator Chuck Ayers of Funky Winkerbean and Crankshaft fame. (Akron)

The Menches Brothers of Greater Akron are recognized for creating the iconic hamburger – a happy accident when they were forced to use beef instead of pork at their sandwich stand while attending the 1885 Erie County/Hamburg, New York Fair! (Akron)

The Unusual Junction is home to the original “”Price is Right”” game show sign, autographed by Bob Barker! Their 50’s style diner is happy to host groups! (West Lafayette)

Northeast Ohio (cont.)

In 1884, Samuel C. Dyke automated his Akron factory (The American Marble & Toy Manufacturing Co.) and begun mass-producing marbles. They became the first toy affordable for everyone and launched the modern toy industry. (Akron)

Greater Cleveland Aquarium is located on the Cuyahoga River in a historic powerhouse that once provided electric to streetcars. (Cleveland)

Akron, Ohio is the final stop for gravity racers from around the entire globe, hosting the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships at Derby Downs each summer, since 1934. (Akron)

The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is the only presidential library in the country with an interactive science center and planetarium. (Canton)

The saltwater in the Greater Cleveland Aquarium’s 230,000-gallon shark exhibit started as City of Cleveland tap water. (Cleveland)

In 1924, the Akron Candy Company began producing “Dum-Dum Lollipops.” (Akron)

The McKinley National Memorial sits at the top of 108 steps. (Canton)

The Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market is the largest indoor/outdoor flea market in the United States. (Hartville)

F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, who resided at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, entertained many illustrious guests including Helen Keller and the Von Trapp Family singers. (Akron)

The country’s largest indoor Christmas attraction, Castle Noel, is located in Medina, Ohio, and features props and costumes from famous movies, iconic holiday window displays, and the famous slide from “A Christmas Story”. (Medina)

In 1988, GOJO Industries of Akron developed an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that would become known as Purell®; their world headquarters remains in Akron. (Akron)

With 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium features both Northeast Ohio freshwater animals and saltwater fish from around the globe. Guest favorites include a spotted turtle, weedy sea dragons, moon jellyfish, flashlight fish, live coral, archerfish and a giant Pacific octopus. (Cleveland)

In 2008, the West Side Market was designated as one of “10 Great Public Places in America,” by the American Planning Association and continues to offer an authentic and culturally diverse shopping experience. The West Side Market celebrated its Centennial in 2012 and has been featured on the Food Network and The Travel Channel. (Cleveland)

William McKinley was one of only four U.S. presidents who have been assassinated. (Niles)

Greater Cleveland Aquarium opened in 2012 on the western edge of downtown Cleveland, just steps away from the Cuyahoga River. It’s located on the ground floor of a powerhouse constructed in 1892 to provide electricity to streetcars. Distressed brick walls, exposed ductwork and reimagined coal chutes juxtapose Northeast Ohio industrial past with the Aquarium’s conservation focus. (Cleveland)

The McKinley Monument towers above Stark County, 108-steps up to the top. (Stark County)

Central Ohio

Krema Nut Company is one of the oldest peanut butter companies still manufacturing in the U.S. today. Since 1898, they have manufactured natural peanut butters, fresh roasted nuts, make gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a variety of chocolates and candies. (Columbus)

At one time, Marion was the nation’s largest producer of popcorn. And that led to the creation of the world’s largest collection of vintage popcorn machines at the Wyandot Popcorn Museum. (Marion)

Muirfield Village Golf Club is the only golf course in the world to host all three golf team events: 1987 Ryder Cup, 1998 Solheim Cup and 2013 President’s Cup. (Dublin)

Reuben L. Partridge was a prolific bridge builder in Ohio, constructing more than 125 bridges in the 1800s. The Pottersburg Bridge in Union County is an example of his patented “U shaped truss bridge design” and is the location for popular “dine on a covered bridge” events.

(Union County)

The Johnson Humrickhouse Museum houses the controversial Newark Holy Stones, which were unearthed in Licking County’s Great Circle Earthworks in the 1860’s. (Coshocton)

Gahanna is the Herb Capital of Ohio. (Gahanna)

Colonel Noah Orr, born in 1863 was a Union County local of large stature (measuring 7’ 8” without his top hat). He traveled across the country and Canada exhibiting his large size and became well known as a performer and showman. Noah Orr’s career blossomed in September 1865 when P.T. Barnum hired Orr as a star attraction at his new museum in New York City. (Marysville)

Marysville is home to the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Visitors can shop at the original hardware store, opened by O.M. Scott in 1868. (Marysville)

Bath and Body Works, a popular brand for over 20 years, is headquartered in New Albany, Ohio, just outside of Columbus. (New Albany)

Dublin is home to a public art sculpture called “Field of Corn with Osage Oranges” which consists of 109 concrete ears of corn, each weighing 1,500 lbs. and standing 10 ft. high. (Dublin)

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum, in Columbus, is the only place in the country where the stories of all veterans across all branches of service and all eras of conflict are told together. (Columbus)

The very first Wendy’s restaurant opened in downtown Columbus in 1969. Today, the franchise is headquartered in nearby Dublin, a Columbus suburb. (Dublin)

Southwest Ohio

The Grant Birthplace in Point Pleasant, Monroe Township, Ohio was the birthplace of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, who was born there in 1822. (Point Pleasant)

In June of 1974, the first U.P.C. scanner was installed at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. The first product to have a barcode was a pack of Wrigley’s Gum. (Troy)

In the early 1900s, Piqua, Ohio was home to eight knitting mills that produced lingerie, BVDs and other underwear. To celebrate the city and its heritage, Piqua held the Great Outdoor Underwear Festival from 1988-1998. The setting of the popular children’s book series Captain Underpants takes place in a fictionalized version of Piqua. (Piqua)

The Ohio Renaissance Festival is one of the largest themed renaissance events in the United States. (Waynesville)

The Golden Lamb Inn is Ohio’s oldest operating Inn. They have been welcoming guests since 1803. (Lebanon)

Ft. Ancient is on the short list to become a World Heritage Site. (Oregonia)

Charles Richter, the creator of the Richter scale, which was used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes, was born in Overpeck, Ohio in 1900. (Overpeck)

155 years ago, Lewis Hayner opened a small distillery on the banks of the Miami River in Troy, Ohio. Hayner distilling grew into one of the largest distilleries in Ohio and the largest mail order whiskey business in America before they closed with prohibition. 100 years later, the original whiskey was analyzed from a few surviving bottles and a blend complimentary to the original Hayner was created. (Troy)

Waynesville is known as the antique capital of the Midwest. (Waynesville)

Indian Creek Distillery, located in New Carlisle, Ohio, uses the old-fashioned double-copper pot distillation method that was used 100 years ago prior to prohibition. They currently have the oldest working stills in America. (New Carlisle)

Southeast Ohio

Astronaut and Senator John Glenn was born in Cambridge. (Cambridge)

Salt Fork State Park is the largest state park in Ohio. Seneca Lake is the third largest inland lake in Ohio. Living Word Outdoor Drama is the only outdoor passion play in Ohio. (Cambridge)

Conn’s Potato Chip Company, Zanesville’s premier potato chip and snack food company uses 50,000 pounds of potatoes per day to make their delicious, mouth-watering chips! (Zanesville)

Cambridge was the childhood home to the famous 50’s cowboy, Hopalong Cassidy. (Cambridge)

Zanesville was founded by American Revolutionary War patriot Colonel Ebenezer Zane, a maternal great-grandfather of Zane Grey. (Zanesville)

The first chapter of the March of Dimes was organized in Coshocton. A local daredevil named “Mad” Marshall Jacobs climbed area courthouses to raise money for the cause. He was also married atop a 10-story flagpole in 1946 and built the first replica of the Monticello Canal Boat in 1968, which began the tradition of Horse-drawn Canal Boat rides in Coshocton’s Historic Roscoe Village. (Coshocton)

You can go to Africa, Asia and Mongolia without leaving North America when you visit the Wilds, one of North America’s largest wildlife conservation centers. See endangered species from Africa, Asia and North America roaming freely then stay in a luxury “Yurt,” a Mongolian tent structure. (Cumberland)

In 1815, Benjamin Lundy settled in St Clairsville, Ohio. Lundy was an abolitionist opponent of slavery in the years before the American Civil War. (St. Clairsville)

The Lincoln Highway, America’s first transcontinental highway, stretches 3,142 miles. Crossing through Ohio on its path from Time Square in New York City to San Francisco’s Lincoln Park. (stretches from Southeast to Northwest Ohio)

There is only ONE Coshocton in the world! (Coshocton)

Whitewoman Street, in Roscoe Village, is named after a woman named Mary Harris. Mary Harris and her family were the first identifiable persons to live in the Coshocton County area, arriving in about 1745. Mary’s story is compelling, as she was kidnapped at the age of 10 from Massachusetts and was raised by and lived as a Mohawk for her entire life. (Coshocton)

Coshocton is the birthplace of promotional advertising and the latex-coated glove! (Coshocton)

Historic Roscoe Village appeared in two scenes of the 1978 TV mini-series “”Centennial.” (Coshocton)

Coshocton County is home to what is thought to be the oldest structure in the Midwest, The Old Stone Fort. Built in 1679, it is shrouded in mystery as to who built it and why. (Coshocton)

World champion Swiss Cheese maker, Pearl Valley Cheese, is in Coshocton and offers tours for groups. (Coshocton)

Gallipolis is home to Bob Evans, famous restaurateur, and sausage maker. (Gallipolis)

Marietta is the home to the first bank, school, church, and post office in Ohio. (Marietta)

Famous Western author Zane Grey grew up in Zanesville. He wrote more than 90 books and became one of the first millionaire authors with total book sales exceeding 40 million. The National Road-Zane Grey Museum is located in Norwich, just east of Zanesville. (Zanesville)

Marietta is the first settlement in the Northwest Territory. (Marietta)

Gallia County is home to the Ohio Valley Symphony, the only professional orchestra in the Ohio River Valley region. (Gallia County)

The Emancipation Celebration Proclamation has been celebrated and observed in Gallia County continuously since 1863 and known to be the longest continuous running celebration in United States. (Gallia County)
Marietta sets on the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. (Marietta)