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Ohio became America's 17th state on March 1, 1803

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Seal of Ohio

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Cardinal photographs :: Ohio History Connection Selections

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Product of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio

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The Buckeye

Some might think that when they hear the term "buckeyes" they're hearing a reference to an Ohio State University sports team. Well, they might be true, but the term "buckeyes" really refers to ALL Ohioans regardless of their university affiliation.

Some might think the Buckeye tree is only found in Ohio. This is mostly true, but it is found elsewhere, just not in as great of numbers as here. This was particularly true back in the days when explorers, surveyors and settlers were first arriving here.

The term buckeye is an Anglicized form of an Indian term for the nuts. They called them "HETUCK" which meant "eye of the buck" because of the resemblance in color and shape between the brown nut and the eye of a large deer.

In the early days of the state, the term was used a slam against those living in Ohio, like being called a "hick" or a "rube" those living in Ohio were called "buckeyes." This in time instead of being an insult, took on the term with great pride.

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Some might think that when they hear the term "buckeyes" they're hearing a reference to an Ohio State University sports team. Well, they might be true, but the term "buckeyes" really refers to ALL Ohioans regardless of their university affiliation. Some might think the Buckeye tree is only found in Ohio.

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States commonly select symbols to represent life within their respective borders. These symbols provide residents with a sense of identity and belonging to their respective states. Symbols help to connect a state's diverse population together, creating a united people.

Since Ohio's admittance as the seventeenth state within the United States of America in 1803, the Ohio government has adopted numerous symbols to represent the state. These symbols not only unite Ohioans, but also serve as a promotional tool to bring attention to the state. Beginning in the 1840s, many people unofficially referred to Ohio's residents as "Buckeyes." Even the largest state university, The Ohio State University, adopted the nickname Buckeyes. In 1953 the Ohio legislature named Aesculus glabra, the Ohio Buckeye, as Ohio's official tree. Due to the Ohio General Assembly's action, Ohio residents have ever since officially been referred to as Buckeyes.

Besides an official tree, Ohio also has an official motto, bird, flower, slogan, song, fossil, beverage, reptile, animal, gem stone, rock song, wildflower, seal, pledge, nickname, herb capital, and insect.

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States commonly select symbols to represent life within their respective borders. These symbols provide residents with a sense of identity and belonging to their respective states. Symbols help to connect a state's diverse population together, creating a united people.

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For the latest symbols information, visit the NETSTATE CHRONICLE.

Designation

Symbol / Emblem

Adopted

Sources...

State of Ohio Ohio Revised Code <http://codes.ohio.gov/orc> Accessed February 10, 2011.
Shankle, George Earlie. State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols. Irvine, Calif.: Reprint Services Corp, Revised edition, 1971.
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

Artifact
Adena pipe 2013

Bicentennial bridge

The Blaine Hill bridge in Belmont county, constructed in 1828 as part of the national road.

2002

Carnation city
Alliance
1959

Great Seal
Find our more...
1967

Herb capital of Ohio
Gahanna
1972

Prehistoric monument

Newark earthworks, Licking county
2006

Making laws in Ohio

The Ohio General Assembly offers The Legislative Process to help us understand how laws are made in the state. For a more detailed rundown, the Ohio Legislative Service Commisssion publishes A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators .

Additional Information

State Symbols: The Ohio Historical Society's Ohio History Central.

Ohio's State Symbols: Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden.

Ohio
Facts and Symbols
Emily McAuliffe

Ohio Facts and Symbols, by Emily McAuliffe. 24 pages. Publisher: Capstone Press; Rev Upd edition (August 2003) Reading level: Grades 3-4. Interest level: Grades 3-9. Perfect for report writing! Easy-to-read text covers major Ohio symbols such as the state flag, seal, bird, tree, flower, animal, and more. A "Fast Facts" section highlights the state's capital city, largest city, physical size, population, natural resources, farm products, and primary manufactured goods. Also included are full-page maps that introduce the concept of the map key, which is great for teaching map-reading skills.

State Names, Seals
Flags and Symbols
Benjamin F. Shearer
Barbara S. Shearer

State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols, by Benjamin F. Shearer, Barbara S. Shearer. 544 pages. Greenwood Press; 3 Sub edition (October 30, 2001) This is one of the best, and most comprehensive, books we could find about the official state names and nicknames, mottoes, seals, flags, capitols, flowers, trees, birds, songs, and miscellaneous designations of each state. This, coupled with the 1938 Shankle book, formed the basis of our symbol library. If you're serious about your states symbols, you'll want to have this book and the one below. This book also contains information about state holidays, license plates, sports teams, universities and other trivia.

State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols, by George Earlie Shankle. 522 pages. Reprint Services Corp; Revised edition (June 1971) Reprint of the 1938 revised edition. The first comprehensive book about our state symbols! From the preface: " This book grew out of the desire of its author to know, about his native state, a great many facts which he found exceedingly difficult to obtain. After three years of research in the Library of Congress, he is able to give to the public this storehouse of information, which could have been gathered from not library less fertile in source material..."

Visit the NETSTATE Ohio State Book Store for additional Ohio related books, including Ohio Reference Books, History, Biographies and Cookbooks.

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Ohio State Symbols and Emblems - Complete list of Ohio state symbols including the state flag and state seal from NETSTATE.COM

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For the latest symbols information, visit the NETSTATE CHRONICLE. Designation Symbol / Emblem Adopted State of Ohio Ohio Revised Code Accessed February 10, 2011.Shankle, George Earlie. State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols . Irvine, Calif.: Reprint Services Corp, Revised edition, 1971.Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.

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Product of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio

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Flint Ridge flint :: Ohio History Connection Selections

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Product of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio

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Ohio State Flag :: Ohio History Connection Selections

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Product of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio

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Primary Source: The Great Seal of the State of Ohio

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Primary Source: The Great Seal of the State of Ohio

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'Great Seal of the State Of Ohio' photograph :: Ohio History Connection Selections

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Product of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio

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Trillium photographs :: Ohio History Connection Selections

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Product of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio

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Buckeye tree leaves and fruit photograph :: Ohio History Connection Selections

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Product of the Ohio History Connection and the State Library of Ohio