The State of Ohio

Original Inhabitants of Ohio

Arial views Of Hopewell Culture’s Earthworks in Newark, OH

A broader look at Ohio

Why People Came

“The country back of the Appalachian Mountains and on both sides of the Ohio (River), is now well-known to be one of the finest in North America…it must undoubtedly

become a populous and powerful dominion.” – Benjamin Franklin, 1749

How They Settled

Ohio’s Early War Presence

How it Developed

Horse-drawn wagons delivering petroleum products for Sun Oil were a common sight on the streets of Toledo in the late 19th century

This was the site of a woolen mill that provided fabric for soldiers' uniforms during the War of 1812, and currently

houses Clifton Mill, the oldest continuously operating mill in Ohio.

The State of Ohio

The Journey to Massillon

Thomas and Charity Rotch left Philadelphia on January 29, 1811 on a four month trip to examine the

possibility of relocating to Ohio.

Early Inhabitants of Kendal

Correspondences in the hand of the Rotch and Whales families

have been scanned by the MPL. The

following was written by Mr. Whales and

documents the settlement details of Thomas and Charity Rotch who started “Kendal” – which

later became Massillon

Early Inhabitants of Massillon

Mr. James Duncan, founder of Massillon, was a retired sea captain. Mayeh Folger, another investor in the origins of Massillon was a retired sea captain. Thomas Rotch’s father had a fleet of ships (2 of which were involved in the Boston Tea Party). Do you think

this combined experience helped Massillon embrace canalway travel that

was to come?

The City of Massillon

The City of Massillon

The History of Massillon

The History of Massillon

How it Developed

Steam Traction Engine built by the Russell Brothers of Massillon who won first place at

the Ohio State Fair in 1845 with their thrashing machine.

The Hess-Snyder Plant produced such things as stoves, furnaces, windmills, pumps, and chimney ventilator, etc.

Massillon’s War Presence

Massillon’s War Presence

Massillon’s War Presence

A Few Conclusions

Just like in the settling of Ohio itself;•People moved to Massillon to better their experiences•As people inhabited the area they changed the land•Location and access to water played a significant role in the continued development of Massillon•Industry helped the economic development of Massillon•Massillon had a significant military presence in many wars

BibliographyBrickley, Homer. “A Tradition of Industrial Growth.”  Cherok, Richard J. “No Harmony in Kendal: The Rise and Fall of an Owenite Community.” Ohio History Journal Volume 108.  Crewson, W. S. (1939), THE INDUSTRIAL GEOGRAPHY OF MASSILLON, OHIO, IN RETROSPECT.  Crosby, Aimee, Susan Dietz. “Ohio As America: Ohio’s Story at Your Fingertips.”  Grohe, Eric. “Eric Grohe Murals and Designs.”  Massillon Independent Kelley, Darlene. “Historical Collections of Ohio - Diaries of S. J. Kelly” Knepper, George W. “Ohio and Its People.”  Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.  Google Maps Rotch, Thomas. “The Rotch Wales Papers.”  Smith, Mrs. Barton E. “Upon These Hills.” State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.  Vogt, Margy. “Towpath to Towpath: A History of Massillon, Ohio.”  Vosseler, Bill. Farm Collector Magazine.  West-Dean, Tanya, W. David Speas. “Along the Ohio Trail: A Short History of Ohio Lands.”