Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The closest thing Ohio has for a unified culture is the people in it complaining about Ohio. Otherwise, the Cleveland area is foundational and by far the most cosmopolitan, the Columbus area has the most "new city" cookie cutter feel, while Cincinnati has the most "new Southern" feel to it - not quite progressive, not totally redneck (think Nashville). This is largely why there is no real unified culture. That's not necessarily a bad thing either. I would say the ethnic thread that runs through all three regions is German/Eastern European. So, if you're looking for a unifying food trend, start with the superfecta of schnitzel, spaetzle, sauerkraut and sausage with a healthy dose of brown mustard.
Good post. I need to spread some reputation around before I can rep you again.
It's always seemed to me like the state has a diagonal line drawn through it from the SW to the NE. South and east of that line is Appalachian influence owing to the generation of Appalachians moving to pre-rust belt manufacturing towns. North and west of that line is what would typically be considered mid-western culture. One thing that holds true in most cities in Ohio is a diverse culture based on immigration patterns in the 20th century. Most cities have a wealth of cultural influences including Polish, Lebanese, Syrian, Serbian, Hungarian, Greek, etc. I grew up outside Toledo, and always enjoyed being able to experience the different cuisines, and cultures in the area. Sure, we had great Greek (Charlie's), Hungarian (Tony Packo's), and Lebanese (The Beirut) restaurants, but the best things were the neighborhood festivals and block parties. Polish on the north side, soul food in the Old West End, etc.
Ohio is the one state west of the Appalachians that has, in my mind, a close connection to the early English/colonial settlement of the US that one normally associates with the Northeast.
This is reflected in the oldest architecture and cultural settlement of the region such as the Western Reserve, Quakers and Shakers, and the initial settlement of Hessians (Germans) who were veterans of the Revolutionary and Indian wars.
These influences can be seen especially in the Cleveland area and making a wide arc along the Ohio river all the way to the Cincinnati area. Some famous Revolutionary War veterans, such as Gen. Anthony Wayne, who is often associated with Revolutionary War activities in New York, were instrumental in opening up the southwestern corner of the state around Hamilton and Butler counties.
This period brought in settlers, mainly of English and Scottish stock who founded many Ohio towns and cities in the late 1700s through the early 19th century as well as the Hessian settlers. Then, in the early 19th century, a huge wave of German immigrants flocked in, most of whom tilled the soil and brewed beer, laying the foundation for what would become the prototype for the cultural backbone of the rest of the Midwest. This period lasted through the 19th century and many of Ohio's food and drink customs, as well as some linguistic and other cultural influence can be attributed to this migration into the state.
In the 20th century, industrialization (spurred by developmental investments to assist the manufacturing wing of the war efforts) brought an economic boom that helped Ohio develop its educational and cosmopolitan growth, probably the peak of the state's status. To drive this boom, thousands of rural residents of Kentucky and Tennessee migrated into Ohio to work in factories and mills giving the "Southern" flavor that many consider to dominate the culture of southern Ohio.
Personally I think that is a bit overstated, though it is definitely an important subculture and cultural influence, but it hasn't replaced the pre-existing midwestern culture, in my experience. Rather I think it just stands out to outsiders above the more sedate and familiar culture of Anglo-Germanic Americana that the region was founded on.
Well, you know that I agree with this. Ohio, at least NE Ohio has a definite New England Flavor, that was leftover by those from Connecticut who settled the Western Reserve. Education is important to many Ohioans.
I also see an Appalacian influence - many Evangelical churches and "red neck culture" which I attribute to the steel industry migration. That's here also.
Then there are the immigrants who arrived at the turn of the last century. Why does OH have good ethnic restaurants as opposed to say, Indiana? That's a big reason.
College football is not unique to OH, but it is very popular here. I'd say that from PA to the Midwest and the south that is a common passion.
When I moved from the east coast to OH, these things stood out to me -
1. Great interest in local HS football. Friday Night Lights. We don't have HS football on Friday nights. Few people other than friends of the players, parents of players, and cheerleaders - there were no fireworks or excitement - except for students interested in HS sports.
So, I see that as an Ohio thing.
2. Certain linguistic phrases that I have never heard since moving to OH. I can think of one "That car needs washed" or as opposed to "That car needs to be washed." Or "needs washing".
or "This tree needs gone". I have never heard that until moving to OH.
The use of the word "bawled" or "bawling" for crying. New to me.
Again, these could be Midwesternisms or country phrases. I am not sure. I attended university with Ohio students and I never heard those phrases.
3. Certain foods are wildly popular. Ranch Dressing on everything. Even pizza.
Restaurants that serve peppers in oil with the bread and butter course.
4. Corn Hole - never saw it or played it until moving here.
I don't mean any of this as a criticism. Just an observation of what I have noticed since moving to Ohio.
I don’t know if this qualifies as a “unifying culture” element per se, but Ohio is often noted as a breeding ground for nationally-recognized, elite football coaches, relative to the state’s size.
The Wall Street Journal once stated, “The Buckeye State is to college football coaching, what Silicon Valley is to Technology: It’s where the brightest minds come from.”
Some famous Revolutionary War veterans, such as Gen. Anthony Wayne, who is often associated with Revolutionary War activities in New York, were instrumental in opening up the southwestern corner of the state around Hamilton and Butler counties.
Anthony Wayne's military actions actually secured all of Ohio for settlers in the 1795 Treaty of Greenville except for the northwestern section of the state. Part of Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) and the western portion of now Greater Cleveland remained Native American territory. The follow-up 1805 Treaty of Fort Industry secured the Connecticut Western Reserve and what now is all of western Cleveland and western Greater Cleveland (western Cuyahoga County west of the Cuyahoga River, Lorain and Medina counties) for settlement.
In the 20th century, industrialization (spurred by developmental investments to assist the manufacturing wing of the war efforts) brought an economic boom that helped Ohio develop its educational and cosmopolitan growth, probably the peak of the state's status. To drive this boom, thousands of rural residents of Kentucky and Tennessee migrated into Ohio to work in factories and mills giving the "Southern" flavor that many consider to dominate the culture of southern Ohio.
Cleveland was an important destination city during the Great Migration of African Americans to the North.
<<The flow of African Americans to Ohio, particularly to Cleveland, changed the demographics of the state and its primary industrial city. Before the Great Migration, an estimated 1.1% to 1.6% of Cleveland's population was African American.[32] By 1920, 4.3% of Cleveland's population was African American.[32] The number of African Americans in Cleveland continued to rise over the next 20 years of the Great Migration.>>
Given a history of racial tolerance in northeast Ohio, the African-American influx into Cleveland created a cultural foundation very receptive and instrumental to the rise of rock 'n roll, culminating in the establishment of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.
Personally I think that is a bit overstated, though it is definitely an important subculture and cultural influence, but it hasn't replaced the pre-existing midwestern culture, in my experience. Rather I think it just stands out to outsiders above the more sedate and familiar culture of Anglo-Germanic Americana that the region was founded on.
German influence was extensive in Ohio, and partially accounts for the emphasis on high culture in Cleveland and Cincinnati, especially regarding classical music. Ohioans of German descent certainly shaped the musical culture of Cleveland, helping establish the foundation upon which the world-class Cleveland Orchestra emerged in the 20th century. I'm most familiar with the German influence in Greater Cleveland, but it likely was even more pronounced in Cincinnati and Columbus.
<< A total of 308,777 Germans and descendants of earlier German immigrant groups constituted the largest white ethnic group in Cuyahoga County in 1990. >>
The overt German cultural influence in Ohio was greatly extinguished by the two 20th century world wars in which Germany was the chief opponent of the U.S., but its lasting imprint on Ohio certainly expresses itself in a state-wide culture that is significantly different than in most states west of the Appalachian Mountains, and certainly in most Sunbelt states and cities.
I don’t know if this qualifies as a “unifying culture” element per se, but Ohio is often noted as a breeding ground for nationally-recognized, elite football coaches, relative to the state’s size.
The Wall Street Journal once stated, “The Buckeye State is to college football coaching, what Silicon Valley is to Technology: It’s where the brightest minds come from.”
Football is one aspect that does permeate throughout Ohio. And yes, many famous coaches either got their start here or are from Ohio.
Nick Saban was born in WV, but played and coached Football at Kent State University.
Urban Meyer born in Toledo, Ohio
Lou Holtz born in WV but raised in East Liverpool, Ohio and attended Kent State University
Woody Hayes born in Ohio and of course, great OSU head coach
Jim Tressel from Mentor, Ohio
Thanks for getting into more detail and expanding on these topics. Most of what I know of Ohio's settlement history comes from family word of mouth and bits and pieces of history gleaned around SWOH, and your Cleveland/NEOH-centric perspective really fills in gaps for me. I have spent a lot of quality time in SEOH periodically throughout my life, and lived there for some time, but did not go to school there to get an in depth history of the state.
Does the Ohio public school curriculum have a decent Ohio history requirement? I think a well presented history is essential to instilling state pride and concern for its future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WRnative
Anthony Wayne's military actions actually secured all of Ohio for settlers in the 1795 Treaty of Greenville except for the northwestern section of the state. Part of Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) and the western portion of now Greater Cleveland remained Native American territory. The follow-up 1805 Treaty of Fort Industry secured the Connecticut Western Reserve and what now is all of western Cleveland and western Greater Cleveland (western Cuyahoga County west of the Cuyahoga River, Lorain and Medina counties) for settlement.
<<The flow of African Americans to Ohio, particularly to Cleveland, changed the demographics of the state and its primary industrial city. Before the Great Migration, an estimated 1.1% to 1.6% of Cleveland's population was African American.[32] By 1920, 4.3% of Cleveland's population was African American.[32] The number of African Americans in Cleveland continued to rise over the next 20 years of the Great Migration.>>
Given a history of racial tolerance in northeast Ohio, the African-American influx into Cleveland created a cultural foundation very receptive and instrumental to the rise of rock 'n roll, culminating in the establishment of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.
German influence was extensive in Ohio, and partially accounts for the emphasis on high culture in Cleveland and Cincinnati, especially regarding classical music. Ohioans of German descent certainly shaped the musical culture of Cleveland, helping establish the foundation upon which the world-class Cleveland Orchestra emerged in the 20th century. I'm most familiar with the German influence in Greater Cleveland, but it likely was even more pronounced in Cincinnati and Columbus.
<< A total of 308,777 Germans and descendants of earlier German immigrant groups constituted the largest white ethnic group in Cuyahoga County in 1990. >>
The overt German cultural influence in Ohio was greatly extinguished by the two 20th century world wars in which Germany was the chief opponent of the U.S., but its lasting imprint on Ohio certainly expresses itself in a state-wide culture that is significantly different than in most states west of the Appalachian Mountains, and certainly in most Sunbelt states and cities.
Football is one aspect that does permeate throughout Ohio. And yes, many famous coaches either got their start here or are from Ohio.
Nick Saban was born in WV, but played and coached Football at Kent State University.
Urban Meyer born in Toledo, Ohio
Lou Holtz born in WV but raised in East Liverpool, Ohio and attended Kent State University
Woody Hayes born in Ohio and of course, great OSU head coach
Jim Tressel from Mentor, Ohio
I’m sure others I am forgetting.
The list of nationally-known football coaches with roots in OH reads like a “who’s who”. Some notables and OH home towns...
Don Shula (Grand River)
Chuck Noll (Cleveland)
Woody Hayes (Clifton)
Bo Schemechler (Barberton)
Paul Brown (Massillon)
Lou Holz (East Liverpool)
Jon Gruden (Sandusky)
Ara Parseghian (Akron)
Urban Meyer (Toledo)
Jim Tressel (Mentor)
Jim Harbaugh (Toledo)
John Harbaugh (Toledo)
Bob Stoops (Youngstown)
Mark Stoops ((Youngstown)
Les Miles (Elyria)
Dom Capers (Byesville)
Luke Fickell (Columbus)
Bo Pelini (Youngstown)
And of course, this doesn’t even include countless other coaches who were born elsewhere, but incubated in OH and subsequently grew into fame.
With regards to football in general, OH disproportionately adds to the country’s football talent pool. High School prospects, perennial NCAA powerhouse and title contender OSU (and also the UC Bearcats!), and the aforementioned coaching talent. The pro football Hall of Fame in Canton adds to the story board. This is truly a state-wide theme.
With regards to football in general, OH disproportionately adds to the country’s football talent pool. High School prospects, perennial NCAA powerhouse and title contender OSU (and also the UC Bearcats!), and the aforementioned coaching talent. The pro football Hall of Fame in Canton adds to the story board. This is truly a state-wide theme.
Let's not forget Ohio used to be the home of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Let's not forget Ohio used to be the home of the College Football Hall of Fame.
I did not know that. I have visited the HoF in Georgia but must have missed that. Interesting that Ohio tourism does not play up the Football and sports history that originate from this State.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
