What Is Ohio Known For? Facts, Landmarks, & More

Wondering why "Ohio" has become a buzzword among Generation Z and Alpha? Read on to discover the history, culture, sport, and natural beauty that make this humble Midwestern state so much more than a mere meme.

Key Takeaways

• Ohio is the seventh-most populated state with 11.8 million residents.
• Immigration has left Ohio with some wonderfully unique foods, from goetta to Cincinnati chili and more.
• Ohio gained a reputation as an environmental polluter during the Great Depression. Now, it’s home to many beautiful state and national parks.
• Ohio has prestigious universities, sports teams, and museums, and is home to multiple halls of fame.
• In 2024, recreational marijuana was legalized in Ohio, paving the way for dispensaries like Clean Remedies.

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Welcome to Ohio

First, some basics: Ohio is also known as the Buckeye State. 

Why? Because of the buckeye trees commonly found in the Ohio River Valley, which produce nuts that look like a buck's eye.

About 11.8 million people live in the Buckeye State. That makes it the seventh most populated state in the country.

When it comes to size, though, Ohio slips down the rankings. It covers over 44,800 square miles, putting it in 34th out of 50. 

Which state is 33rd? It just so happens to be Pennsylvania, Ohio's neighbor. 

Ohio's largest city, Columbus, is also its capital. With a population of about 880,000, it's the 14th largest city in the US.

History of Ohio

Ohio was the 17th state in the union. It became a state in 1803. 

Except, not really…

What? Well, states technically need the presidential stamp of approval in order to properly join the US. Ohio didn't get that until 1953!

However, President Dwight Eisenhower backdated the declaration, making 1803 the official date it became a state.

Before the arrival of Westerners, the area was populated by various Native American tribes. These included the Erie, Shawnee, and Kickapoo.

In fact, the very name "Ohio" could come from an Iroquois word: "Ohi-yo," meaning "great river," likely describing the waterway now known as the Ohio River. 

Many of these tribes were forced westward by US troops and settlers. Despite this, Ohio is home to many descendants of Native Americans, and there are communities working to be formally recognized by the federal government. 

Ohio really started taking off around 1825, when the Erie Canal opened. This record-breaking project connected the Ohio River to Lake Erie. With speedier shipping now possible, settlers began flocking to the territory.

Famous People From Ohio

Plenty of celebrities, both historic and contemporary, called (or call) Ohio their home. Three of the most famous are:

• Thomas Edison
• Benjamin Harrison
• William McKinley

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Ohio's Natural Beauty

In the north of Ohio is the Lake Erie shoreline, where you'll find beaches and sand dunes.

Western and Central Ohio is home to the Till Plains. These rolling hills are incredibly fertile, and much of the land is used for growing corn.

Most of eastern Ohio is taken up by the Appalachian Plateau. Massive hills and deep valleys provide visitors with great hiking and spectacular views. 

In the south, you can find the Bluegrass Region.

Ohio has plenty of state parks, which preserve its natural beauty and make it accessible to visitors. 

The state is also home to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Cuyahoga River runs through the park on its way to Cleveland and, eventually, the Great Lake. 

If you're a fisher, look out for the Lake Erie Perch. Many Ohioans use a technique called "jiggling" to catch this popular and tasty fish.

Ohio Culture

Ohio is full of cultural activities. The major cities like Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Akron, and Cincinnati are home to sports, music, theatre, art, and more.

Art

Try the Cleveland Museum of Art or the Cincinnati Art Museum. Both are prestigious institutions with significant collections.

Music

The Buckeye state is considered by many to be the birthplace of rock and roll. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland. Fans from around the world gather at the Hall of Fame every year to attend the annual induction ceremony when new Hall of Fame members are announced.

Sports

Ohio is known for its sporting prowess, both at the college and professional levels. Teams include:

• NFL: The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals
• NBA: The Cleveland Cavaliers
• MLB: The Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds
• NHL: The Columbus Blue Jackets
• College: Ohio State University Buckeyes

Football fans should consider visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton.

Food

Now, Ohio isn't exactly known internationally for its cuisine. The Buckeye state's official fruit is the humble tomato, and its drink is tomato juice. Delicious!

Don't be put off, though. There's good eating to be had in Ohio if you know where to look.

The state is one of America's top producers of food. Ohio is known for cheese, corn, livestock, and fruits.

Over the decades, many immigrants from Eastern Europe made their way to Ohio. In turn, they brought their own culinary culture, which has over time become part of Ohio state itself.

Here are just a few:

• Sauerkraut (try it on hot dogs!)
• Pierogi (boiled dumplings)
• Goetta
• Johnny Marzetti (pasta with ground beef, vegetables, tomato sauce, and cheddar cheese)
• Buckeyes
• Sloppy joes
• Cincinnati chili

Education

Ohio is home to plenty of renowned educational institutions. 

The top five are:

• Ohio State University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Miami University
• University of Dayton
• University of Cincinnati

Entertainment

Sandusky, Ohio, claims to be the roller coaster capital of the world. It's home to Cedar Point Amusement Park. The park's 70-plus rides include the world's tallest roller coaster!

The state is also home to many covered bridges. There used to be thousands of them, and some counties, like Ashtabula, still brag about having some of these unique and historically important structures. 

Weed in Ohio

In 2023, Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational cannabis. Residents of nearby states where weed is still illegal, like West Virginia and Kentucky, sometimes make trips to Ohio just to visit the state's brand-new dispensaries.

Clean Remedies, for example, has a dispensary in Avon. It's stocked with THC, CBD, edibles, gummies, tinctures, flower, and much more.

If you're hesitant about eating some of the local cuisine, you can always make a stop at the dispensary first!

Why Ohio is Famous in Memes

Tens of millions of posts have been made about Ohio, but not in the way you think. The state has become the center of a new meme trend. 

The essential part of each Ohio meme is using the word to describe something weird or strange. At least, that's what Generation Alpha uses the word for. 

Conclusion

Ohio might genuinely be a little weird, at least to those unfamiliar with it. But weird is wonderful, and few things are more wonderful than Ohio's natural beauty, delicious foods, high-quality cannabis, and fascinating history.

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