Whether you live there, or just love fun facts, there is so much to learn about Ohio. Enjoy these Ohio fun facts to learn more about this cool state.
Cleveland, Ohio has the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, and believe it or not, it makes more sense than people know being located there. Alan Freed was a disc jockey at Cleveland’s WJW station when he counted the term “rock and roll” on his radio show. Freed was key in introducing a larger audience to rhythm and blues. New York City was also in line for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Cleveland wanted it more, so much so that they came up with the 65 million in public funding to make it happen.
Ever been to Columbus? If so, have you ever seen the 8-foot, 600-pound, bronze statue of a mostly-naked Arnold Schwarzenegger? It may seem random, but is there for a good reason. This statue of Schwarzenegger is an acknowledgment of the Arnold Sports Festival. This athletic and sports competition was stared in 1989 by himself and sports promoter and Columbus native, Jim Lorimer.
And then, there’s the basket. You know, like a picnic basket but it’s a whole building and lots of people, hundreds actually, work in it.
So far 7 presidents have come from Ohio, now dubbed the “Mother of Modern Presidents. The presidents are Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William H. Taft, and Warren G. Harding.
Have you ever noticed that when people talk about the State University of Columbus, that they often refer to it as The Ohio State University? This “The” Began in 1878, when the university switched its name from Ohio agricultural and mechanical college to what it is now, The Ohio State University. Technically, the The has always been there but university officials have been placing an emphasis on it since 1986 to distinguish the college from other OSUs: Oregon State and Oklahoma State.
“Hang on, Sloopy,” by the McCoys, is Ohio’s theme song. It began as the unofficial Ohio State marching band anthem, so the choice only made sense.
Ohio State has the largest Amish population, even though the Pennsylvania Dutch get all the credit. One expert believes that soon, Ohio’s Holmes County, will become the highest majority Amish county in the US in 10 to 15 years.
“The River that Caught on Fire,” is in Ohio. The Cuyahoga River has caught on fire at least 13 times . The river, for a time, was one of the most polluted rivers in the country and it would catch fire after sparks from the train would fall into the water. A fire in 1969 was covered by the media and inspired Congress to clean up the pollution there, and across the country, establishing the EPA, also known as the Environmental Protection Agency.
Agriculture is the largest industry of the state, and contributes $93 billion annually to the economy. Ohio state is the number one producer of swiss cheese. What a fun Ohio fun fact!
Do you know why Ohio is known as the Buckeye State? There are Aeschylus trees everywhere there, a genus that grows from very large seed nuts. The native Americans noted that the nuts looked like large brown deer eyes, hence the Buckeye State.
Before his infamous show, host Jerry Springer was the 56th mayor of Cincinnati. He wanted to run for senate but feared that his show’s reputation would negatively affect his chances.
The windy city of Chicago has a giant statue in Metropolis Illinois but superman was actually born in the Glenville neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the first ever superman comic strips when they were in high school. Then later sold the rights to Marvel for just $130.
Did you know that there is a pizza specific to Ohio state? You’ve heard of New
York style pizza and Chicago style pizza but what about Ohio Valley pizza or Steubenville-style pizza? Whereas most pizzas differ because of their crust, the Steubenville difference is the cheese. Instead of layering your pie with cheese and baking it like most pizzerias do, Steubenville style pizza tosses the cheese on after it comes out of the oven. According to one pizzeria owner, this method better preserves the flavor of the cheese.
Thomas Edison, famous for the incandescent light bulb, phonography, and film, to name a few, is from Milan, Ohio.
Seven presidents from this state and the leading swiss cheese producer, thanks Ohio? What’s your favorite Ohio fun fact? In case you missed it, here’s Ohio Fun Facts That You Want to Know: Part One.