Ohio: Gatekeeper of Hidden Treasures

This Day in History: March 1, 1803

Ohio, the Buckeye State

Buckeye emerging from pod - photo © Lucy Meskill on Flickr.

The nickname for Ohio is The Buckeye State partly because many buckeye trees once covered Ohio's hills and plains. The name buckeye stems from native Americans - Indians called the nut "hetuck" (meaning buck eye, as the markings on the nut resemble the eye of a deer). "With God All Things Are Possible" became Ohio's state motto on October 1, 1959. A twelve-year-old boy named James Mastronardo recommended this quotation from the Bible during a contest sponsored by the Ohio legislature in the early 1950's to select a state motto.  Aerial America: Ohio It's where the Wright brothers' visions of flight fully took off and where a young Neil Armstrong first dreamed of the Moon. Take flight over the Buckeye State and witness centuries of American history etched in its soil. From the Ohio River, where Revolutionary War veterans started life anew, to Marietta, where runaway slaves sought shelter, this aerial tour celebrates the state's spirit: built on freedom, sports, and rock and roll. In 1803, Ohio, originally partitioned from the Northwest Territory, became the 17th state to join the Union. It links the Northeast to the Midwest and its geographic location has proven to be an asset for economic growth and expansion. Of interesting note is Ohio's state quarter, which depicts the Wright Flyer (the Wright brothers were Ohio natives), astronaut Neil Armstrong (first man on the moon, also an Ohio native), an outline of the state and the caption: "Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers." Ohio is a state in the Midwestern United States. Ohio State Flag The Ohio state flag has a unique swallowtail pennant design. Ohio's hills and valleys are represented by the blue triangular field. The  17 white stars are symbols of the 13 original colonies with four stars added at the apex of the triangle since Ohio was the 17th state. The red and white stripes represent the state's roads and waterways. The white circle with a red center forms an "O" for Ohio and is also related to Ohio's nickname. Ohio State Seal  Northern Cardinal Ohio designated the Northern Cardinal as official state bird in 1933. One of America's favorite backyard birds, cardinals are distinctive in appearance and song - known for their "cheer cheer cheer," "whit-chew whit-chew" and "purty purty purty" whistles. The Ladybug Most bugs are just that...bugs! Not so for the Ladybug... something special about the Spirit of the Ladybug. "The ladybug is symbolic of the people of Ohio - she is proud and friendly, bringing delight to millions of children when she alights on their hand or arm to display her multi-colored wings, and she is extremely industrious and hardy, able to live under the most adverse conditions and yet retain her beauty and charm, while at the same time being of inestimable value to nature." Red Carnation Photo of red carnations in garden by Wayne on Flickr (noncommercial use allowed with attribution | share alike).   Unusual Ohio Architecture: Longaberger Giant Basket Building The United States is dotted with novelty structures that rival the craziest buildings in China - but at least this giant basket office in Ohio was constructed with locally sourced wood. A scaled-up replica of Longaberger's medium market basket, the 180,000-square-foot headquarters for the company features cherry wood harvested from the Longaberger Golf Club in Hanover and processed in the firm's own mill.   For the State Symbols of Ohio click HERE! Ohio State Song    "Beautiful Ohio" by Ballard MacDonald & Mary Earl; special lyrics by Wilbert B. McBride "Beautiful Ohio" became the state song in 1989. The music was composed by Mary Earl, and the original lyrics were written by Ballard MacDonald. In 1989, the Ohio legislature adopted an amendment to section 5.09 of the Ohio Revised Code that changed the words of the state song. The new lyrics are the work of Youngstown attorney Wilbert McBride.    Gatekeeper of Hidden Treasures   A winding road amid timberland Parallels a meandering stream Branching off toward Summer’s grassland As panoramic views highlight the scene  Coursing through a river or stream   Currents flow along the rocky bed Swervin', curvin', lashin', crashin'  Without announcing what's ahead Bridges offer passage over Excitement enfolds passing under Waterfalls roar within scenic views Resounding like echoing thunder Autumn's fashion show of color Nourishes the soul like daily bread Yellow leaves don flecks of fiery orange That buckeye trees seasonally shed    Pumpkin-pickin’s bumper crop Brilliant as a blazing sunset Rests in wait for carvin’ Exciting times to ne’er forget Winter snowy mornings  Display picturesque icy falls Somewhere in the distance A melodic cardinal calls Aromatic wildflowers poppin' Foreshadow breathtaking pleasures Spring’s mossy rocks, meadowlands of green Gatekeepers of hidden treasures ©2014 Awakenings Sharla Lee Shults Ohio Facts and Trivia Next state by month: #37 Nebraska - Mar 1, 1867