WEBMASTER'S NOTE:  I could use your help!  This page will attempt to provide a skeletal outline of significant people and events that shaped Franklin County's history in the overall tapestry of people and events that give Ohio, the 17th state, its unique position in American history. Limited time, space, and the knowledge of (or lack thereof) the Webmaster may mean the omission of some people and events. If you feel that a person or event of importance should be included, please, contact Leona at . Please provide documentation for any information that you would like to see included. If I use your suggestions I will include the documentation in the Bibliography.

1797 - Lucas Sullivant lays out the village of Franklinton, the first settlement in what was to become Franklin County.

1803 - The act creating Franklin County was passed March 30, 1803 and took effect on April 30, 1803 when the new county was stricken off from Ross County and organized territory.

1805 - The first regular mail service came to Franklin County when Adam Hosac/Hosack was appointed Postmaster.

1810 - June 1, Wyandot Chief Sha-Te-Yah-Ron-Ya,, a.k.a. Chief Leatherlips, was executed by his own people for being in favor of making peace with the white man.

1811 - James Kilborne of Worthington, published the first newspaper in Franklin County, The Western Intelligencer.

1812 - Lyne Starling, John Kerr, Alexander McLaughlin, and James Johnston propose to build a new city across the Scioto River from Franklinton. This city is to be created solely for the purpose of becoming the state capitol. The State Assembly accepts the proposal.--(See http://www.genealogybug.net/franklin_1858/columbus1.htm)

1814 - Feb, George B. Harvey and Jane Armstrong was the first couple married in Columbus.

1869 - May 27, Ground breaking for Columbus City Hall, designed by R. T. Brooks; Fornoff & Co. Builders

1872 - March 28 New Columbus City Hall dedicated. Located at 39 E. State Street - PHOTO (Courtesy Columbus Metro Library Historic Photograph Collection; used with permission)

1873 - "The first tax supported free public library in Columbus was formed in 1873 and housed in City Hall."*

1879 - Franklin County Courthouse fire of 1879 occurred on 31 January 1879. The fire must have occurred in the late night of the 31st as the fire alarm was not actually turned in (recorded) until 1 February 1879. (Source: Columbus City Annual Report, 1878-79, p. 225)

1921 - night of January 12, Columbus City Hall burns. Building uninsured, city saved $41,000 by not insuring it. Sold land for $700,000. Ohio Theater on site where old City Hall stood. - PHOTO (Courtesy Columbus Metro Library Historic Photograph Collection; Myron Seifert Collection; used with permission)

1963 - 17 Oct, Columbus native Donn Fulton Eisele joined NASA Group 3, and became one of the three Apollo 7 astronauts.

Knepper, Dr. George W., The Official Ohio Lands Book, (Columbus, Ohio, Auditor of State, www.auditor.state.oh.us)

Martin, William T., History of Franklin County: a Collection of Reminisences of the Early Settlement of the County; with Biographical Sketches, and a Complete History of the County to the Present Time (Columbus, Follett, Foster & Company, 1858; transcription 2006 http://www.genealogybug.net/franklin_1858/1858_history.htm)

Ruth Young White, editor, We Too Built Columbus, (Stoneman Press, Columbus, 1936), page 74

*The Ohio Channel/Your State/Remarkable Ohio/Franklin County Historic Marker #96-25

Columbus Evening Dispatch, Thursday, January 13, 1921, pages 1 & 2.

Columbus Citizen, Friday, January 21, 1921, page 11

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