Did you know....Ohio fun facts:

Ohio state animal is the White-tailed Deer.

Ohio state fruit is the Tomato. 

Ohio state native fruit is the PawPaw.

Ohio state bird is the Cardinal.

Ohio state amphibian is the Spotted Salamander.  

Ohio state reptile is Black Racer Snake.

Ohio state cultivated flower is the Red Carnation.

Ohio state wildflower is the Large White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum).

Ohio state insect is the Ladybug.

Ohio state flag is the only state flag to have a swallow-tailed burgee. 

Ohio state gemstone is the Ohio Flint.  

Ohio state fossil is Isotelus.

Ohio state beverage is Tomato Juice.  

Ohio state historical architectural structure is the Barn. 

Ohio state rock song is Hang on Sloopy.

Ohio state song is Beautiful Ohio.

Ohio state motto:  With God, all things are possible.

Ohio state tree is the Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra).  

What is a Buckeye?

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State. But what exactly is a buckeye?

The buckeye tree (aesculus glabra) is native to North America. In late summer and early fall, the trees bear fruit that contain a large nut. The nut gives the tree its name because it is dark brown with a light spot, resembling the shape and color of a deer's eye. The buckeye was named the state tree of Ohio in 1953.

The term buckeye has widely been used to describe residents of Ohio in general since the mid 1800s. It became popular when supporters of William Henry Harrison's successful presidential campaign carved souvenirs out of buckeye wood.

The word buckeye also appears in the names of  many geographic areas including the community of Buckeye in Jackson county, Buckeye Lake in Fairfield and Licking Counties, and the Buckeye Trail, which is a hiking trail that loops around the state.

The buckeye is used in the names of many Ohio-based companies and organizations. It is the official mascot of The Ohio State University, where current students and alumni refer to themselves as Buckeyes. 

Ohio is known for....

Flag:  Ohio's flag is not rectangular like all the other state flags.  Its pennant design is one-of-a-kind.  According to the Ohio State Flag Code, the flag is to be folded 17 times to represent Ohio as the 17th state to join the Union.

Great Lakes Region:  Tourist destinations, fishing, and vacations all happen along the coasts of Lake Erie.  Popular spots include Cedar Point, Lake Erie Islands, and  

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, is the second-oldest amusement park in North America. It's home to 70 rides, a mile-long beach, on-site accommodations and more. Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, is an American summertime tradition on the Lake Erie shore. 

Football The American Professional Football league was founded in Ohio in 1920, leading to the formation of the current National Football League.  Many schools have successful football teams, including The Ohio State Buckeye Football team.   

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a popular museum along the shore of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio.   

Birthplace of the Wright Brothers.  Ohio is often referred to as the “birthplace of aviation” as we produced the first people to fly an airplane.  The Wright Brothers were raised in Dayton, Ohio.  

Corn Production  Farming has always been a major economic activity in Ohio and is among the top producers of corn in the United States.   

Wineries:  Ohio hosts over 250 wineries!  “Ohio's rich winemaking history began in the 1850s and continues today. Ohio wines are considered to be some of the best in the world, offering both novice and experienced wine enthusiasts something sure to please their palates. Explore what Ohio's wine industry has to offer.”  https://ohio.gov/tourism/resources/find-ohio-wines 

State Parks:  Wherever you are in Ohio, you're just a short drive from an Ohio State Park.  Choose from 1,000 miles of trails to explore, beaches and boating facilities for fun on the water, cozy campgrounds, cabins and lodges for comfortable stays, and special events and nature programs to make your stay memorable. Enjoy your visit!  https://ohio.gov/tourism/resources/ohio-state-parks 

We’re cheesy Swiss cheese was first produced in the Buckeye State in 1833 by Swiss immigrants, who had carried copper kettles from their homeland when they settled Tuscarawas and Holmes counties. Ohio cheesemakers churn out 138 million pounds annually, making the state No. 1 nationally in Swiss-cheese production.  

The first city to be lit electrically in the world was Cleveland in 1879. Charles Brush demonstrated arc lights on the street successfully. 

Avon, Ohio is known as the “Duct Tape Capital of the World “, having given birth to the the Duck® brand duct tape. The city also holds an annual duct tape festival. 

OHIO AGRICULTURE

Since prehistoric times, people who have called Ohio home made their living off the land. By the time European settlers established a presence in Ohio, American Indian tribes were growing corn, beans, squash and pumpkins. Europeans introduced other crops, such as watermelon.

By the early 19th Century, Ohio established itself as one of the nation’s leading states in crop production. Ohio farmers also raised livestock, not only for food, but for use in textile production. As time passed, industrialization rose in prominence and many of Ohio’s earliest industries were based in agriculture.

By the 20th Century, competition from other states reduced the prices Ohio farmers received for their crops. As technology has helped Ohio’s service and industrial sectors grow, the Buckeye State has remained one of the nation’s leaders in agriculture.

There are about 75,000 farms in Ohio. Nearly 90 percent of those farms are run by families or individuals.

Ohio ranks first nationally in the production of swiss cheese, second in egg production and third in tomatoes and pumpkins. Ohio is fifth in the nation in bell pepper yield, sixth in sweet corn and cucumbers and eighth in the number of chickens sold.

ABOUT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (MAIN CAMPUS)

Ohio State University was established in 1870 as an agricultural and mechanical college, but with a wide-ranging curriculum that included English and ancient and foreign languages. This legacy has continued to the present day, with the university still offering a broad liberal arts education.

With just 24 students in its initial cohort in 1873, the public university is now one of America’s largest higher education institution. More than 50,000 students study across 15 colleges at its main 1,900-acre campus. Four buildings on campus are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Hale Hall (originally Enarson Hall), Hayes Hall, Ohio Stadium, and Orton Hall.

The university is renowned for its academic medical centre and cancer hospital and research centre. It also boasts more than 10 museums and galleries, a 60-acre arboretum and a four-acre park dedicated to cancer survivors with sculptures, a walkway and plaques. In 2013-14, the university’s total research expenditure topped $982 million.

Students can also benefit from culture in Columbus, which features a Center of Science and Industry, three historic theatres and a zoo, and hosts a wide range of festivals.

Ohio State University now has more than 500,000 living alumni. Notable former students include pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, businessman Les Wexner, actor Patricia Heaton and writer R. L. Stine.

The university has more than 1,000 student organisations; intercollegiate, club and recreational sports programmes; student media organisations and publications, fraternities and sororities; and three student governments.
The university particularly excels in sports and alumni from Ohio State University have gone on to win 100 Olympic medals (46 gold, 35 silver, and 23 bronze).