Life in South Central Ohio

A Rich History

The Shawnee people called it Cha-la-gaw-tha, which literally means "principal town."

They and their ancestors lived and flourished in the region for thousands of years prior to European contact. This can be traced back to the ancient Hopewell peoples, who lived in the region from 200 BC until 500 AD. Their earthen mounds for ceremonial and burial purposes are still visible to this day. 

During the establishment of the United States, the region remained heavily populated by the Shawnee and other tribes while France "claimed" the territory. However, after the "French and Indian War" ended in 1763, the French ceded the Ohio Valley and the region west of the Ohio River became an "Indian" territory not open to European settlement. 

After the American Revolution and incorporation of the Northwest Territory, what is now South Central Ohio started receiving significant numbers of European settlers. In 1796, settler Nathaniel Massie laid 456 lots on his own land to establish Chillicothe. Eventually Chillicothe became the center of political life in the Northwest Territory and in 1800, it became the capital of the Northwest Territory. In 1803, it became the first capital of Ohio.

If you’re interested in our area’s rich history, visit “Tecumseh” – an outdoor dramatization of the legendary Shawnee leader as he struggles to defend his sacred homelands in the Ohio country during the late 1700s.

The region’s history is also on display at the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, which features mounds dating back to 200 B.C. These earthen mounds – built more than 2,000 years ago -- grace the area landscape and are living remnants of the Hopewell culture.