Interesting Facts About Ohio

Ohio is a state in the Midwest United States, located between the Great Lakes and the Appalachian Mountains. It is a popular tourist destination and home to many famous attractions. Ohio is known for its beautiful countryside, bustling cities, and rich history. Here are 30 interesting facts about Ohio that you may not have known.

1) Ohio is the Home of the first professional baseball team

The Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first professional baseball team in the United States. They were established in 1869 and played their first game in 1870. The team disbanded the following year, but the legacy of professional baseball in Ohio remains.

2) The First National Football League Team Was in Ohio

The Canton Bulldogs were the first team to join the National Football League in 1920. The Bulldogs won the first two NFL championships in 1922 and 1923.

3) The Wright Brothers Were From Ohio

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. They are best known for inventing the airplane and making the first powered flight in 1903. The Wright brothers’ legacy lives on in the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio.

4) Ohio is Home to the First Traffic Light

The first electric traffic light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914. It was invented by Lester Wire and was originally powered by batteries.

5) Ohio is Home to the First Professional Fire Department

The first professional fire department in the United States was established in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1853. The Cincinnati Fire Department was the first to use horse-drawn fire engines and organized firefighting teams.

6) Ohio is Home to the First Concrete Street

Bellevue Avenue in Bellefontaine, Ohio, was the first concrete street in the United States. It was constructed in 1891 and is still in use today.

7) The First Ambulance Service in the United States Was in Ohio

The first ambulance service in the United States was established in Cincinnati in 1865. The service provided medical care and transportation to injured soldiers during the Civil War.

8) Ohio is Home to the First Air Traffic Control Tower

The first air traffic control tower in the United States was built in Cleveland in 1930. The tower provided air traffic control services to pilots flying in and out of the city.

9) Ohio is Home to the First Shopping Mall

The first shopping mall in the United States was built in Akron, Ohio, in 1956. The mall was named Rolling Acres and was the largest shopping center in the United States at the time.

10) Ohio is Home to the First Long-Distance Telephone Call

The first long-distance telephone call in the United States was made in Ohio in 1884. The call was made from Cleveland to New York City and was answered by Thomas A. Edison.

11) Ohio has the Largest Amish Population in the United States

Ohio has the largest Amish population in the United States. The Amish are a religious group that originated in Switzerland in the 16th century. They are known for their simple lifestyles and traditional values.

12) Ohio is Home to the First Professional Fireworks Display

The first professional fireworks display in the United States was held in Cleveland in 1833. The display was part of the city’s centennial celebration and was attended by over 20,000 people.

13) Ohio is Home to the First Self-Service Grocery Store

The first self-service grocery store in the United States was opened in Cincinnati in 1916. The store was called Piggly Wiggly and allowed customers to select their own groceries from the shelves.

14) Ohio is Home to the First Professional Basketball Team

The Cleveland Rockers were the first professional basketball team in the United States. They were established in 1897 and played their first game in 1898.

15) Ohio is Home to the First Zoo in the United States

The first zoo in the United States was the Cincinnati Zoo, which opened in 1875. The zoo is still open today and is home to over 500 species of animals.

16) Ohio is Home to the First Concrete Streetcar Line

The first concrete streetcar line in the United States was built in Akron in 1911. The line extended over two miles and operated until 1941.

17) Ohio is Home to the First Radio Station

The first radio station in the United States was established in Cleveland in 1920. The station, WRU, broadcast news and entertainment programs.

18) Ohio is Home to the First Professional Football Team

The first professional football team in the United States was the Akron Pros. They were established in 1920 and won the first two NFL championships in 1922 and 1923.

19) Ohio is Home to the First Computer Company

The first computer company in the United States was founded in Cleveland in 1952. The company was called International Business Machines (IBM) and is now one of the largest technology companies in the world.

20) Ohio is Home to the First Indoor Shopping Mall

The first indoor shopping mall in the United States was built in Euclid, Ohio, in 1956. The mall was called Euclid Square Mall and was the largest in the United States at the time.

21) The First Fully Electronic Computer Was Developed in Ohio

The first fully electronic computer in the United States was developed in Dayton, Ohio, in 1945. The computer was called the ENIAC and was used by the military during World War II.

22) Ohio is Home to the First Telephone Directory

The first telephone directory in the United States was printed in Cleveland in 1878. The directory listed over 2,000 names and was printed on only one page.

23) Ohio is Home to the First Air Mail Service

The first air mail service in the United States was established in Cleveland in 1918. The service provided mail delivery between Cleveland and New York City.

24) Ohio is Home to the First Radio Telescope

The first radio telescope in the United States was built in Delaware, Ohio, in 1945. The telescope was used to study the sun and other celestial bodies.

25) Ohio is Home to the First Automated Teller Machine

The first automated teller machine (ATM) in the United States was installed in Cincinnati in 1977. The ATM allowed customers to withdraw cash from their bank accounts without having to go into the bank.

26) Ohio is Home to the First Drive-Thru Restaurant

The first drive-thru restaurant in the United States was opened in Springfield, Ohio, in 1948. The restaurant was called Red’s Giant Hamburg and was the first to offer fast food to customers without having to leave their cars.

27) The First Intercity Bus Line Was Established in Ohio

The first intercity bus line in the United States was established in Dayton in 1928. The line provided bus transportation between Dayton and Cincinnati.

28) Ohio is Home to the First Motion Picture Studio

The first motion picture studio in the United States was built in Cleveland in 1912. The studio was called The Vitagraph Company and produced many silent films.

29) Ohio is Home to the First National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park was the first national park in the United States. It was established in 1974 and is located in northeastern Ohio.

30) Ohio is Home to the First Roller Coaster

The first roller coaster in the United States was built in Cleveland in 1884. The coaster was called The Switchback Railway and was the first of its kind in the world.

Conclusion

Ohio is a state with a rich history and many interesting facts. From the first professional baseball team to the first national park, Ohio has played an important role in the development of the United States. Hopefully this article has given you a better appreciation for Ohio and its many contributions.