Columbus (Ohio)

Columbus was laid out as state capital in 1812 but it did not take over the government from Chillicothe, 70 km to the south, until 1816. Columbus' growth was stimulated by the development of transportation facilities, the most important of which was the opening of a feeder canal to the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1831. The National Road, which reached the city in 1833 and the railroad, which arrived in 1850, were also of major importance. Columbus officially became a city in 1834.

Columbus is the state capital and largest city of Ohio. It is an important transportation, industrial and trade center and it sits on the Scioto River in the fertile farm region of central Ohio. Columbus' industries manufacture products such as consumer goods, aircraft, engines, transportation equipment, glass, food, textiles and primary metals. Government agencies and many research and educational centers are of major importance to the city's economy, which has expanded rapidly since the 1940's. Columbus is also the seat of Ohio State University, Capital University, Ohio Dominican College, Franklin University, state schools for the deaf and blind and the Battelle Memorial Institute (for industrial research).

There are numerous interesting sights in Columbus, including the state capitol, the state office building and its library, Ohio State University's huge Ohio Stadium and the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts. The Center of Science and Industry is a science museum that was designed by Arata Isozaki. The city's postmodern convention center was designed by Peter Eisenman. Also worth a visit is the library and museum of the state archaeological and historical society and the headquarters of the American Rose Society, which contains one of the world's largest rose gardens. Camp Chase Confederate cemetery, holds the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War prison camp there. If you still have energy left after all that, you can go for a walk on the vast state fair grounds.

Also in the city are U.S. Fort Hayes (est. 1863) and a state penitentiary. The Griggs, O'Shaughnessy, and Hoover reservoirs are the center for park and recreational activities. The city also has a professional hockey team (the Blue Jackets), racetracks and a variety of annual cultural events.

There are numerous hotels end restaurants in Columbus. The city is 515 km west of Washington D.C.