This weeks #GOPCThread is the latest in our #OHCommunitySpotlight series. This month, we feature Marietta, the first European settlement in Ohio (established by the French and named after Marie Antoinette, then Queen of France) and an important manufacturing hub in the early history of Ohio.
Not on Twitter? The thread is available online, as well as below.
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This month’s #OHCommunitySpotlight features Marietta, one of the oldest European settlements in Ohio, first capital of the Northwest Territory, and one-time shipbuilding powerhouse #GOPCThread
The history of this area of the state begins in the prehistoric era, when several indigenous cultures lived along what is now the Ohio River & its tributaries. Many of these societies built earthwork mounds, monuments dedicated to cosmology & astronomical events #GOPCThread
The earthworks in the Marietta area were constructed by the Hopewell, a pre-Columbian Native American civilization that lived in the region from roughly 100 BC to 500 AD #GOPCThread
Marietta Earthworks | Wikipedia (Click image for link)
The French were the first European explorers to enter the area in the 18th Century, claiming the area as part of their “Illinois Territory.” The French ceded all territory east of the Mississippi to Great Britain following the Seven Years’ War #GOPCThread
In the years leading-up to the American Revolution, future U.S. President George Washington surveyed the area, later regaling friends with stories of the beauty he had seen in his travels throughout the Ohio Valley & of his ideas for settling the territory #GOPCThread
The US organized the Northwest Territory in 1787 with enactment of the Northwest Ordinance. States that claimed the territory, including CN, PA & VA, ended their claims while war veterans were paid with warrants for land in the territory #GOPCThread
Northwest Territory | Ohio History Central (Click image for link)
Arthur St. Clair, a former revolutionary general & President of the Continental Congress, was appointed the first Governor is the new territory in 1788 & would serve until 1802. Marietta served as territorial capital from 1788-1799 before being replaced by Chillicothe.
Campus Martius, the first stockade in Marietta, stood through the settlement’s early years. One of the original homes within the stockade has been restored and preserved within the extremely informative Campus Martius Museum. #GOPCThread
Campus Martius | Marietta Museums (Click image for link)
With statehood coming to Ohio in 1803, Marietta grew to become an important city to the state. @MariettaCollege was founded in 1835 by townspeople and the college would become a station on the Underground Railroad to help slaves escape from the south.
Marietta History | Marietta College (Click image for link)
Marietta's location on two major navigable rivers made it ideal for industry & commerce, w/ boat building being one of the earliest industries with ships built for transport both on the river as well as oceangoing vessels sailed downriver to New Orleans & the Gulf of Mexico.
Soon came steamboats & other industries, including brick factories & sawmills which supplied materials for homes & public buildings. An iron mill, along with several foundries, provided rails for the growing railroad industry; the Marietta Chair Factory made furniture.
Although they are no longer manufactured in Marietta, you can still take a steamboat ride down the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers. Watching the paddles propel the boat is something else! #GOPCThread
In 1860, oil was discovered in the region. Oil booms in 1875 and 1910 created considerable wealth in the area, with lavish homes constructed in the city. The Dawes brothers of Marietta (including future @VP Charles Dawes) founded Pure Oil Company in 1914. #GOPCThread
Today, Marietta is home of the longest-running ferromanganese refinery in North America operated by @GroupeEramet, the only ferromanganese refinery in the United States until recently #GOPCThread
Ferromanganese | Wikipedia (Click image for link)
Marietta has a diversified economy today, with the largest employment sectors being in health care, education, retail trade and manufacturing. #GOPCThread
One manufacturer that nearly everyone in the United States is familiar with is Sewah Studios, which has been casting the beautiful historic plaques found all over the state and country for nearly 95 years. #GOPCThread
Sewah Studios (Click image for link)
Since 1975, the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival has been celebrated the weekend after Labor Day. With performances from musical artists, Sternwheel races, & a large fireworks display, the festival attracts thousands of visitors to Marietta #GOPCThread
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival (Click image for link)
Marietta is a city with a rich history that remains a cultural center for the state of Ohio. It’s importance in the founding of the state of cannot be overlooked & that, along with its rich pre-European history make it a growing center for tourism #GOPCThread
And, the City working hard to enhance its eco-tourism offerings, with downtown serving as a natural anchor. Marietta has a beautiful and intact historic downtown, with a haunted hotel, hip restaurants, local retailers, and a strong pride in place. #GOPCThread
Reasons to Visit | Marietta Main Street (Click image for link)
Be sure to check-out all that Marietta has to offer, along with all the other cities we have featured in our #OHCommunitySpotlight series in the past year #GOPCThread