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Bob_piper's avatar

I'm trying to find out why the capital of Ohio, created in 1812, was called Columbus by the state legislature. Was it an attempt to encourage settlement of the newly created city? The city was largely settled by Germans and Canadians who fought for the US against the British.

Funny side note: In 1991 a private company built a 90 foot long replica of the Santa Maria as a city landmark. I say funny because Columbus, OH has no navigable waterways connecting it to other cities.

Itsatarp's avatar

Yeah! Why is that? Maybe to try and cement a bond to the older, more established history of the country? Or because South Carolina already had their capital in Columbia? And what's the deal with Toledo?

popebuck1's avatar

Brings new depth of meaning to Mr. Potter in "It's A Wonderful Life," complaining that George Bailey, by offering low-cost home loans to the likes of Mr. Martini, is "playing nursemaid to a bunch of garlic eaters!"

Bob_piper's avatar

The city, once called the Port of Miami, was renamed Toledo after the Toledo War, a fight between Ohio and Michigan over disputed territory called the Toledo Strip. Why it was called Toledo? According to The Ohio Guide, "The most popular version [of the legend] attributes the naming to Willard J. Daniels, a merchant, who reportedly suggested Toledo because it 'is easy to pronounce, is pleasant in sound, and there is no other city of that name on the American continent."

Bob_piper's avatar

Aha! Your question about Toledo has led me to an answer on Columbus. It's down to Joseph Foos, a senator of the Ohio Assembly who was, "A great admirer of Christopher Columbus, Joseph Foos believed the town should be named for the explorer. After using the tried-and-true method of persuasion accompanied by liberal amounts of strong drink, Foos convinced a majority of the assembly to name the town Columbus." Of course, the other name up for consideration was "Ohio City," because the people of Central Ohio are a creative lot.

https://www.thisweeknews.co...

Phried Ω 🇺🇦 Путин, иди на хуй's avatar

I'm nothing if not flexible. Let's compromise of Nov. 1 so that folks can be less responsible about containing themselves at Halloween parties.

Itsatarp's avatar

So it's the equivalent of waking up after a night of drinking and finding out you got a tattoo.

gingerwentworth1's avatar

I don't really know how important that group is to him, so I shouldn't say. But isn't it that identical thinking? "Sure it was tough for some people when he arrived but it's the glamorous parts of the "idea" of Columbus that Italians cherish and we want to keep it!!!"

gingerwentworth1's avatar

thx! Probably not dignified enough for this ethnicity to feel good about. But that's what was so valuable and nice about him. You can see he was a fighter more plainly than those men on rearing horses.

John Thorstensen's avatar

Hey!

How about a real nice charming statue of Fiorello LaGuardia?

John Thorstensen's avatar

Excellent reasons! Then there's the famous painting, "view of Toledo", reproduced here, if I got the right one ... https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

John Thorstensen's avatar

That was my idea, too! I suppose he had his dark side, but I remember seeing him portrayed as a dynamic, deeply humane, and beloved mayor.

gingerwentworth1's avatar

That's why they call it City of Dreams!

gingerwentworth1's avatar

Maybe he doesn't have a dark side. Tho I bet he didn't like being called the Little Flower.

gingerwentworth1's avatar

See? Cue AP Gianinni. Giannini.