Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a population of nearly 906,000 people as of the 2020 census, it is the 14th-most populous city in the United States and the second-largest city in the Midwest after Chicago. As the county seat of Franklin County, Columbus is an important center for government, culture, and economy in the region.

The city began as Native American settlements along the Scioto River and was officially founded in 1812, named after the famous explorer Christopher Columbus. Over the years, Columbus grew into a major transportation hub and later became a key center for education, finance, and technology.

Today, Columbus is known for its strong focus on high technology, innovation, and advanced manufacturing, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductor device fabrication. The city is home to important institutions such as the Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the United States, and several major companies. Columbus also offers many cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, and parks, making it a vibrant place to live and visit. The city has professional sports teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Columbus Crew, adding to its lively atmosphere.

Name

The city of Columbus was named after the famous explorer Christopher Columbus. Many people think it might be the largest city in the world with this name. Some believe a local leader liked the explorer so much that they suggested the name when the city was being created.

Over time, some people have talked about changing the city’s name because of things Christopher Columbus did long ago. During protests in 2020, there were calls to change the name, and a big statue of him was taken down from outside City Hall. The city is also known by fun names like "the Discovery City", "Arch City", and "Cbus".

History

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Columbus, Ohio.

Ancient and early history

Between 1000 B.C. and 1700 A.D., the Columbus area was home to ancient cultures called the Mound Builders, including the Adena, Hopewell and Fort Ancient peoples. Evidence of their lives can still be found in the burial mounds they left behind. Most of these mounds are outside the city today, but the Shrum Mound is kept in a public park and historic site. The city's Mound Street is named after one of these mounds, which once stood where Mound and High Streets meet. The clay from this mound was used to build many of the city's first brick buildings, including the Ohio Statehouse. The Ohio History Center has many items from these ancient cultures.

18th century

The area that is now Columbus was once part of the Ohio Country, controlled by the French colonial empire from 1663 to 1763.

In the 1700s, traders came to the area because of the fur trade. The land was sometimes fought over by different groups. In the 1740s, traders from Pennsylvania took over the area, but the French forced them out. Fighting over the land continued during the French and Indian War (1754–1763), which was part of a larger war called the Seven Years' War (1756–1763). After the war, the Treaty of Paris in 1763 gave control of the Ohio Country to the British Empire.

Before the American Revolution, many native villages were in Central Ohio. A Mingo village was at the place where the Scioto and Olentangy rivers meet, with Shawnee villages to the south and Wyandot and Delaware villages to the north. In 1774, soldiers burned down the Mingo village during a raid.

Virginia Military District

After the American Revolution, the Virginia Military District became part of the Ohio Country. People from the East Coast moved in, but they met people from the Miami, Delaware, Wyandot, Shawnee and Mingo nations, as well as European traders. The tribes resisted the new settlers, leading to many years of conflict. After the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the Treaty of Greenville in 1795 allowed new settlements. In 1797, a young surveyor named Lucas Sullivant started a permanent settlement at the place where the Scioto and Olentangy rivers meet. He named it "Franklinton" after Benjamin Franklin. The place was good because of the rivers, but a big flood in 1798 destroyed the new town. Sullivant kept trying, and the town was rebuilt a little farther inland.

After the Revolution, land was set aside for people from Canada and Nova Scotia who supported the American cause. This land, called the Refugee Tract, was 42 miles long and 3–4.5 miles wide. The Ohio Statehouse is on land that was once part of the Refugee Tract.

19th century

Ohio became a state in 1803. There was disagreement about where the state capital should be, and it moved several times. Leaders finally decided to build a new city in the center of the state, near important rivers. The city was named after Christopher Columbus and was founded on February 14, 1812. At first, the area was a forest used for hunting.

The city became an official town on February 10, 1816. Between 1816 and 1817, Jarvis W. Pike was the first mayor. Life was hard at first because of diseases like malaria from flooding rivers and an outbreak of cholera in 1833. Columbus created a Board of Health to help.

Columbus was far from other cities, so it grew slowly at first. But the National Road reached Columbus from Baltimore in 1831, and the city connected to the Ohio and Erie Canal. This helped the city grow. Many people from Europe moved to Columbus and created neighborhoods. Many Irish people lived in the north, and many Germans lived in the south.

With 3,500 people, Columbus became an official city on March 3, 1834. That day, the legislature gave power to the city council and the mayor. Elections were held in April, and John Brooks was the first mayor chosen by voters. Columbus added the town of Franklinton in 1837.

The first railroad came to Columbus in 1850, followed by another in 1851. The railroads built a train station called Union Station. By 1875, eight railroads served Columbus, and they built a new station. Another cholera outbreak in 1849 led to the opening of Green Lawn Cemetery. The Ohio Statehouse opened on January 7, 1857, after 18 years of building.

Before slavery ended in the Southern United States in 1863, the Underground Railroad helped enslaved people escape. James Preston Poindexter, a Baptist preacher, helped lead this effort in Columbus.

During the Civil War, Columbus was a major place for the Union Army. It had space for 26,000 soldiers and up to 9,000 Confederate prisoners at Camp Chase. Over 2,000 Confederate soldiers are buried there.

In 1870, the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College, which later became the Ohio State University, was founded.

By the end of the 1800s, Columbus had many big businesses. The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company made equipment for coal mines. The city was known as the "Buggy Capital of the World" because of its many buggy factories, especially the Columbus Buggy Company. The Columbus Consolidated Brewing Company was also successful. In the steel industry, Samuel P. Bush led the Buckeye Steel Castings Company. Columbus was also a good place for labor groups. In 1886, Samuel Gompers started the American Federation of Labor in Columbus, and in 1890, the United Mine Workers of America started at the old City Hall.

20th century

The Columbus Experiment in 1908 was an environmental project to build the world’s first water plant to clean water. This helped reduce deaths from typhoid.

The 1910 Columbus streetcar strike turned into a riot but did not succeed.

Columbus got the nickname "The Arch City" because of many wooden arches on High Street at the turn of the 20th century. The arches were taken down in 1914 but rebuilt in the Short North neighborhood in 2002.

The Great Flood of 1913 damaged the Franklinton neighborhood greatly. To stop future floods, the Army Corps of Engineers suggested widening the Scioto River, building new bridges, and creating a retaining wall. The economy improved after World War I, leading to new buildings like a civic center, the Ohio Theatre, the American Insurance Union Citadel, and Ohio Stadium. The National Football League moved its offices to Columbus in 1921.

The Great Depression did not hurt Columbus as much as other places because of its different kinds of jobs. World War II brought more jobs and people to the city, many from Appalachia. In 1948, the Town and Country Shopping Center opened in Whitehall, one of the first modern shopping centers.

The Interstate Highway System led to growth in the suburbs. To keep money in the city, Columbus linked water and sewer services to annexation. By the early 1990s, Columbus was the largest city in Ohio by land and population.

Efforts to improve downtown Columbus had some success, though some old buildings were lost. In the 1970s, landmarks like Union Station and the Neil House hotel were torn down for new offices and stores. The PNC Bank building was built in 1977, as well as the Nationwide Plaza buildings. The Greater Columbus Convention Center brought big events to the city.

AmeriFlora '92 was held in 1992 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s first voyage. There were plans for a Native American village, but protests stopped it. Protests continued until 1997.

21st century

In 1999, Michael Coleman, the city’s first African American mayor, was elected. His time as mayor led to new construction like the Arena District and work in the Brewery District. A flood wall was finished in Franklinton in 2004.

Development started along the riverfront, called the Scioto Mile. The city had to buy many empty houses after the 2010 United States foreclosure crisis. The city focused on improving downtown, with new parks and developments.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Columbus started in early 2020, closing many businesses. By late 2022, downtown activity returned to normal levels.

Later in 2020, there were protests in the city after the murder of George Floyd.

In the 2020s, Columbus became a center for new technology like artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductor device fabrication. In 2023, Intel planned to build a $20 billion factory, and Honda and LG Energy Solutions also planned big projects.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is where the Scioto and Olentangy rivers meet, just northwest of Downtown Columbus. The city has many smaller streams and creeks, such as Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek, and Darby Creek. The land in Columbus is mostly flat because a big glacier covered Ohio long ago. However, there are some high and low spots, with the highest point being near New Albany and the lowest near where the Scioto River leaves the area close to Lockbourne.

Columbus covers a large area of 223.11 square miles (577.9 square kilometers), most of which is land. It is the largest city in Ohio in terms of land area because past leaders included surrounding areas into the city.

Main article: Neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus has many different neighborhoods, each with its own special feel. Some well-known areas are the Arena District, the Brewery District, Clintonville, Franklinton, German Village, The Short North, and Victorian Village.

Main article: Climate of Columbus, Ohio

Columbus has warm, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The city usually gets mild snowfall in winter because it is not in the path of big winter storms that hit areas farther east. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Columbus was 106 °F (41 °C) in the 1930s, and the coldest was −22 °F (−30 °C) in 1994.

The city can experience severe weather, such as strong thunderstorms with lightning and hail, and sometimes tornadoes in the spring and fall. Floods, blizzards, and ice storms can also happen occasionally.

Columbus is working to reduce its impact on the environment. A plan approved by voters will provide the city with 100% renewable energy starting in 2023 using new wind and solar farms.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Columbus had a population of 905,748. The median age was 32.3 years. About 22% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11% were 65 years or older. For every 100 females, there were 95 males.

Columbus has a diverse population. It has many white people, but also many people from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The city has growing communities from places like Mexico, India, Somalia, and China. Many people from all over the world live in Columbus, especially because of Ohio State University.

Columbus has a steady population growth and is considered a typical American city because of its mix of people and areas. This makes it a good place for businesses to test new products.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Columbus, Ohio

Columbus has a strong and varied economy. It includes many different types of work, such as education, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and technology. In 2010, a group that studies real estate said Columbus was one of the best big cities in the country.

In 2019, the value of all goods and services made in Columbus was about $134 billion. During a tough time for the economy from 2007 to 2009, Columbus did not struggle as much as other places because of many different jobs and businesses in the city. Because Columbus is the capital of Ohio, many government workers live and work there.

In 2019, six big companies from Columbus were listed among the top companies in the United States. These companies include large insurance, banking, and healthcare businesses. Other important places to work are schools like Ohio State University, hospitals, technology research centers, and companies that make steel, financial services, and food products. Fast-food places like Wendy's and White Castle also started in or near Columbus. Many companies from other countries also have offices in Columbus.

Food and beverage industry

North Market is a popular public market and food hall downtown. It is the only one left from the four original markets in Columbus. Columbus-style pizza has a thin crust with slightly sweet tomato sauce and cheese that covers the whole pizza, cut into squares.

Many restaurant chains started in the Columbus area, including Charleys Philly Steaks, Bibibop Asian Grill, Steak Escape, White Castle, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Bob Evans Restaurants, Max & Erma's, Damon's Grill, Donatos Pizza, and Wendy's. Wendy's first restaurant was downtown until it closed in 2007. The company now has its main office in nearby Dublin. Columbus also has many local breweries and pubs, and a big Budweiser brewery. There are also companies that make food and restaurant supplies.

Arts and culture

Main article: Culture of Columbus, Ohio

Columbus has many important buildings and places that show its history and culture. Over 170 buildings in the city are listed on a special list called the National Register of Historic Places. The city also has its own list of important buildings. Some famous areas in Columbus include German Village, Italian Village, Victorian Village, and the Brewery District.

The Ohio Statehouse began building in 1839. It is made from special limestone and has many artworks inside and out. One famous artwork is the William McKinley Monument from 1907. The Statehouse finished building in 1861.

Columbus has many museums and places to see art. The Columbus Museum of Art shows many types of art, including European and American pieces. The Wexner Center for the Arts is another place for modern and contemporary art. The Ohio History Center is a big museum that tells the story of Ohio’s past. COSI is a fun science museum for families. The Franklin Park Conservatory is a beautiful garden with many different plants from around the world.

The city also has many places for music and theater. The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Opera Columbus, and BalletMet Columbus are just a few of the performing groups. There are also many theaters where you can watch plays and musicals. In the summer, you can see free Shakespeare plays in Schiller Park.

Columbus has been a place where many movies were made, such as Teachers, Air Force One, and Ready Player One.

Sports

Professional teams

Columbus is home to two big league sports teams. The Columbus Blue Jackets play hockey in the National Hockey League at Nationwide Arena. The Columbus Crew play soccer in Major League Soccer at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The Crew were one of the first teams in MLS and have won several big games. In 2021, they moved to a new stadium called Lower.com Field.

The Columbus Clippers are a baseball team that play in Huntington Park. They are connected to the Cleveland Guardians.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Columbus is also where the Ohio State Buckeyes teams play. These teams are very popular and do well in many sports. Their football team plays at Ohio Stadium, and their big game against Michigan each year is very exciting for fans.

Other sports

Columbus has a long history with car racing, starting with the first 24-hour race in 1905. The city also hosts big events like the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the Arnold Sports Festival. There are also teams like Ohio Roller Derby that compete in roller skating games.

Parks and attractions

See also: City parks in Columbus and Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks

Columbus has many places to enjoy the outdoors. The city’s Recreation and Parks Department looks after around 370 parks. There are also 19 bigger parks called regional parks and the Metro Parks, which help keep the area beautiful and fun.

Some of the special parks include Whetstone Park in Clintonville, the Columbus Park of Roses with its beautiful garden, and the Chadwick Arboretum on Ohio State’s campus, which has many different plants. Near downtown, Topiary Park shows a famous painting made with plants, and the Scioto Audubon Metro Park is great for watching birds.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to many interesting animals like gorillas, polar bears, and tigers. There is also a water park and amusement park called Zoombezi Bay at the zoo.

Columbus holds many fun events each year. The Ohio State Fair is one of the biggest state fairs in the country. Other events include the Columbus Arts Festival, Jazz & Rib Fest, and Restaurant Week Columbus, which happens twice a year.

In the past, Columbus hosted a big rock music festival called Rock on the Range. Now, there is the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival. Other events include the Park Street Festival, Columbus Pride, and ComFest, a big music and art festival. In July, the city celebrates with a big fireworks show called Red, White & Boom!

The Short North area has a monthly Gallery Hop where people can see art in many galleries. German Village holds an Oktoberfest celebration with German food and music. Columbus also has big shopping places like Easton Town Center and Polaris Fashion Place.

Government

Main article: Government of Columbus, Ohio

Columbus has its own special way of running things as a city. The leaders help make decisions for the people living there, keeping the city organized and safe. They work together to make sure everyone has what they need to live comfortably.

Politics

Columbus holds important elections for leaders who help run the city. Citizens choose a mayor and nine members of the Columbus City Council every two years. The mayor picks leaders for safety and public services, and people also elect an auditor, court clerks, judges, and a city attorney. Andrew Ginther has been the mayor since 2016.

As the capital of Ohio, Columbus is home to many government offices. It has federal buildings like the Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse and the John W. Bricker Federal Building. The Ohio Statehouse is in downtown Columbus, where the state’s legislature meets. The city also has many local government offices, including Franklin County’s government center. The Columbus Division of Police handles safety, while the Columbus Division of Fire provides emergency medical services and fire protection.

Education

Columbus is home to two big public colleges: the Ohio State University, which is one of the largest in the United States, and Columbus State Community College. Ohio State has some top-ranked programs, like veterinary and pharmacy schools.

The city also has many other schools, including private colleges and universities. Columbus City Schools is the largest school district in Ohio, with many elementary, middle, and high schools.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library is very popular and has many books and resources for people to use. It has been ranked one of the best libraries in the country for many years.

Media

Main article: Mass media in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus has many newspapers, both big ones like The Columbus Dispatch and smaller ones for different neighborhoods. There are also papers just for students at Ohio State University, such as The Lantern.

The city has many television and radio stations, making it a big spot for media in the United States.

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Columbus has many important hospitals. OhioHealth runs three hospitals in the city, including Grant Medical Center and Riverside Methodist Hospital. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has a main hospital and a second campus. Nationwide Children's Hospital focuses on caring for children and is known for being one of the best in the country.

Utilities

Electricity in Columbus is provided by Columbus Southern Power. Natural gas comes from Columbia Gas of Ohio, and water is managed by the City of Columbus Division of Water.

Transportation

Roads and bridges

Columbus has many important roads and bridges. Two main streets, Broad and High Streets, cross the city. The city is also connected by big highways like Interstate 70 and Interstate 71. One famous bridge is the Discovery Bridge, which links parts of the city.

Airports and aviation

The main airport is John Glenn Columbus International Airport, offering flights to many places in the United States and some international trips. There are also smaller airports for cargo and private planes.

Public transit

Columbus has a big bus system run by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). There are many bus routes and special services like express buses and a free downtown service. There are plans to add more train-like bus services in the future.

Cycling network

Cycling is becoming more popular in Columbus, with many bike paths and events. The city has a bike-sharing program with hundreds of bikes and docking stations around town. The Main Street Bridge even has a special lane just for bikes and walkers.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio, has been home to many famous people throughout history. Some of these individuals have made big impacts in areas like entertainment, sports, and more. The city continues to be a place where interesting and accomplished people live and grow.

Sister cities

Columbus has ten sister cities around the world. The city began this special friendship in 1955 with Genoa, Italy. As a gift, the people of Genoa gave Columbus a bronze statue of Christopher Columbus. This statue stood in front of Columbus City Hall from 1955 until it was removed during the George Floyd protests.

Here are the sister cities of Columbus:

• Genoa, Italy (1955)
• Tainan, Taiwan (1980)
• Hefei, China (1988)
• Odense, Denmark (1988)
• Seville, Spain (1988)
• Dresden, Germany (1992)
• Herzliya, Israel (1996)
• Ahmedabad, India (2008)
• Curitiba, Brazil (2014)
• Accra, Ghana (2015)