800BC-100BC: Early Woodland Period

The Adena people existed from roughly 600BC to 100BC. They built conical-shaped mounds up and down the Scioto River.

Shrum Mound is located in Columbus at Mckinley Ave.

An example of pottery made by the Mound Builders The Adena are mainly hunters and gatherers but they also plant crops such as squash and sunflowers. They use spears for hunting and make pottery for storage or cooking.

100BC-500AD: Middle Woodland Period

The Hopewell live from roughly 100BC to 500AD. They build large ceremonial or defensive mounds in geometric shapes. It is a period of great cultural development.

A map of Franklin County showing the location of Ancient Earthworks

Relics from the Mounds The Hopewell produce art work with materials found as far away as the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico indicating that they trade with many other peoples.

500AD-900AD: Late Woodland Period

During this period the Hopewell culture diminishes or, some say, collapses. No significant mounds are built and less art was produced.

Voss Mound is located in the Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.

A map of a mound in Worthington done by Charles Whittlesey The native peoples live in large permanent villages which were often surrounded by stockades or ditches. Maize is introduced as a crop along with bow and arrow hunting.

900AD-1200: The Late Prehistoric

Evidence of the Fort Ancient Culture is seen mainly in central and southern Ohio. Some of Ohio's most interesting effigy mounds appear during this time period.

This period of time is referred to as the Late Prehistoric period in Ohio. In other parts of the Midwest it is called the Early Mississippian Period referring to the native populations located in and around Illinois, Missouri and other areas of the Mississippi Valley.

The Great Serpent, Adams County, Ohio

The Alligator effigy mound in Licking County The people of this time period became dependent on maize agriculture and also grew beans and squash. These crops were called the "three sisters".

1200-1300s: The Late Prehistoric

Native populations live in large communities. Their homes are built around a center plaza used for ritualistic purposes.

In Ohio, this period of time is referred to as the Late Prehistoric period. In other parts of the Midwest it is called the Middle Mississippian Period referring to the native populations located in and around Illinois, Missouri and other areas of the Mississippi Valley.

Cahokia Mound in Illinois Sun Watch Village located in Montgomery County is an example of a Late Prehistoric Fort Ancient Village. Evidence of trade and cultural exchange between the Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley people is seen by the similar designs on pottery and the structure of villages. By 1300s the Fort Ancient people begin to decline in numbers and no mounds are built during this time period.

1400-1500s: The Late Prehistoric

An increased dependence on corn and farming continues to lead to the decline of the native population. Europeans arrive in the New World by the mid 1500s.

In Ohio, this period of time is referred to as the Late Prehistoric period. In other parts of the Midwest it is called the Late Mississippian Period referring to the native populations located in and around Illinois, Missouri and other areas of the Mississippi Valley. Archeological evidence shows a dietary dependence on maize caused malnutrition, tooth decay and shorter life spans. Almost 90% of southern Ohio's native population dies out at this point. Skeletal remains show arrow wounds indicating that more people may have died violent deaths due to warfare. The native people may have encountered European diseases by trading with other natives from the East. Villages are no longer set up around a central plaza. Houses are bigger to hold several families.

1600s: The Historic Period

1650 is considered the beginning of the Historic Period in Ohio. Tribes begin to move into Ohio as they are pushed out of the East by other tribes and white settlers.

When historians refer to The Historic Period they mean a time of written records. By 1650 French explorers and map makers begin to learn of rivers in Ohio south of Lake Erie and chart them. 1600The Shawnee move into central and southern Ohio. Some believe the Shawnee are descendants of the Fort Ancient people. 1650-1700Beaver Wars 1650-1700. In order to further the fur trade with Europeans, the Iroquois move into Ohio country to hunt beaver. They kill off many native peoples still in northern Ohio.

1700s: The Colonial Period

Iroquois and Algonquin Indians move into Ohio. The struggle for territorial dominance begins as war erupts between the native population and the white settlers.

Map of the Indian towns, villages, camps and trails in the Virginia Military District and southwestern Ohio.

1774A representation of Dunmore's council on the Pickaway Plains 1774.

1795Tarhe The Crane, Wyandot Chief

1797John Brickell Memorial

1797Lucas Sullivant surveys Franklinton and lays it out.

1800s

In 1803, Ohio is admitted to the union and Franklin County is formed.

1800sIn the 1800s, before the town of Columbus is founded, there are a few early settlers in Montgomery Township (the site of present day Columbus). However, most everyone in the vicinity lives in Franklinton, across the river.

1803James Kilbourne settled Worthington, Ohio.

1804David Beers House

1805Lyne Starling, founder of Starling Medical College

1810s: Population in 1812: 300

The town of Columbus is founded in February of 1812 and is picked by the state legislature as the state capital that same year.

1810Monument to Wyandot Chief Leatherlips

1812The town of Columbus is platted out.

1814The first state house is constructed.

1815The first State Penitentiary opens.

1818William Lusk begins publishing the Columbus Almanac.

1820s Population: 1818: 1,200

An extreme economic panic all but cripples the Columbus business community while continual epidemics of Yellow or âBiliousâ Fever decimate the population.

1823William Neil opens his first inn.

1823Lucas Sullivant dies.

1824Columbus becomes the Franklin County seat.

1827Feeder Canal groundbreaking in Columbus

1830s: Population: 2,435

The 1830s ushers in a decade of transportation innovations. The canal system is introduced to Columbus, as well as the National Road.

1831Canal arrives in Columbus.

1834Columbus is incorporated as a city March 3, 1834.

1836Caroline Frankenberg opens first Kindergarten.

1838Alfred Kelley mansion is finished.

1840s: Population: 6,048

During the Mexican American War four companies are mustered from Columbus, one is entirely of German immigrants. Also, the city limits expand due to a housing boom.

1840Second courthouse is built at corner of Mound and High Streets.

1842The Carter-Hayden house is built. It is also home to Governor Salmon P. Chase.

1847The first Wesley Chapel is organized on North High Street.

1848Holy Cross Church, the oldest Catholic church in Columbus, opens.

1850s: Population: 17,882

Railroads extend to Columbus, ushering in a new era of commerce and industry. Citizens are divided over the issue of slavery.

1850First locomotive runs through Columbus; Union Station built.

1851Dr. Lincoln Goodale donates land for Goodale park, the first city park in Columbus.

1853Capital University opened in 1850 and moved in 1853 to North High and Goodale Streets.

1860s: Population: 18,554

The Civil War dominates events. The U.S. Army houses 26,000 troops at Camp Chase, as well as 9,000 confederate prisoners, 2,600 who are buried there.

1861The Statehouse opens

1863The Barracks Shot Tower is built.

1865Lincoln Funeral Train

1868Mission opens in Neville mansion, 1868, from bequest of Hannah (Schwing) Neil.

1870s: Population: 31,274

The German and Irish communities thrive during the 1870s. The Ohio State University is founded in 1870.

1870The Ohio State University is founded.

1871Amelia Parsons marries Prince Zu Lynar.

1875The first white woman born in Columbus dies.

1877Simon Lazarus, founder of Lazarus Department stores, dies.

1880s: Population: 51,647

Telephone service and electricity come to Columbus. A manufacturing boom occurs in both the buggy and shoe-making industries

1880Rev. James Poindexter, 1st African American elected to city council

1884Second county courthouse is demolished.

1886Franklin Park is established.

1887New Franklin County Courthouse opens.

188822nd National GAR Encampment

1890s: Population: 88,150

The 1890s sees both progress and disaster. The first Columbus skyscraper is built in 1894 and a disastrous flood sweeps through the city in 1898.

1890Columbus becomes shoe and buggy capital.

1891First electric streetcar in Columbus

1894Wyandotte Building, the first skyscraper in Columbus, is constructed.

1897Franklinton Centennial

18981898 Flood

1900s: Population: 125,560

The turn of the century in Columbus is marked by city planning and pride through civic projects, like the construction of Memorial Hall, and the Columbus City Plan of 1908.

1906Memorial Hall opens.

1907Columbus Metropolitan Main Library opens.

1908Columbus City Plan is drafted.

1909Lazarus department store expands.

1910s: Population: 181,511

The automobile gains popularity, expanding the city limits further, as people move into the suburbs. The brewery industry booms.

1910Streetcar Strike

1912Columbus Centennial

19131913 Flood

1917St. Paul's Lutheran church demolished.

1918Rev. Washington Gladden renowned Columbus Progressive minister dies.

1920s: Population: 237,031

The brewery industry declines due to Prohibition; but the cityâs economy is strong. Landmark structures, such as the Neil House Hotel, are constructed.

1922The Ohio State University stadium opens.

1924Central High School dedicated.

1925Battelle Institute opens.

1927American Insurance Union (AIU) construction

1929Port Columbus opens.

1930s: Population: 290,564

During the Great Depression, the local economy does not suffer as much as some due to the large number of government and university jobs in the city.

1930Ohio Penitentiary fire kills 319 people.

1931Columbus Museum of Art opens.

1935Artist and newspaper cartoonist Billy Ireland dies.

1937Olentangy Amusement Park closes.

1938Olentangy Village Apartment Complex is built.

1940s: Population: 306,087

World War II generates a whole new wave of manufacturing in Columbus at the Curtiss-Wright factory and the Defense Construction Supply Center.

1941Curtiss Wright airplane factory opens.

1944Columbus Foundation established.

1946The Lazarus Annex opens in the Former Columbus Auditorium building.

1948Last Streetcar service in Columbus

1949Deshler mansion

1950s: Population: 375,901

Columbus suburbs grow as shopping malls are built all over the city. Downtown retailers struggle to remain viable.

1954George Parsons mansion razed.

1955Artist Alice Schille dies.

1957Mershon Auditorium at OSU dedicated.

1959Temple Israel dedicated.

1960s: Population: 471,316

The south side is reborn as German Village becomes one of the most important historical districts in the nation and the German Village Commission is formed.