Like much of Ohio, Columbus can trace its roots back to early Native American civilizations. Once home to Wyandot Indians, Scioto, the name of the main river that flows through downtown, gets its name from the Wyandot word meaning deer, of which there are many in the city. Three bronze-deer statues captured in human repose along the banks of the river pay homage to this fact.
Many of the indigenous civilizations in the area were also part of the Moundbuilding cultures, from which Downtown’s Mound Street derives its name. Check out the Ohio History Center’s collection of artifacts from these ancient inhabitants.
Ohio has made major contributions to our nation’s military engagements for many years, in particular the Civil War, during which Ohio contributed more of its population to the Union Army than any other state. Additionally, many of the blue coats worn by the Union soldiers were manufactured in Columbus. In fact, this is how the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets got their team name, and at each home game a veteran or active duty member of the military is honored by the team, and fans and Blue Jackets’ goals are celebrated with the boom of a historic cannon.
