Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin, Ohio | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 39-57834[3] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 2395295[2] | |
Website | http://www.cityofoberlin.com/ |
Oberlin
The town is the birthplace of the
History
Oberlin was founded in 1833 by two
Shipherd and Stewart rode south from Elyria into the forests that then covered the northern part of Ohio in search of a suitable location for their community.[7] After a journey of approximately eight miles, they stopped to rest and pray in the shade of an elm tree along the forest, and agreed that this would be a good place to start their community.[7]
Shipherd traveled back east and convinced the owner of the land to donate 500 acres (2.0 km2) of land for the school, and he purchased an additional 5,000 acres (20 km2) for the town, at the cost of $1.50 per acre ($371/km2).[9]
In 1834 a charter for the new Oberlin Collegiate Institute was obtained from the legislature of Ohio, and the institute adopted as its motto "Learning and Labor."[9][10] The same year saw a freshman class of four students.[11] In those days the words were taken quite literally: tuition at Oberlin was free, but students were expected to contribute by helping to build and sustain the community. This attracted a number of bright young people who would otherwise not have been able to afford tuition.[12] The motto remains to this day.
During the mid-1800s African Americans, predominantly free people of color and runaway slaves, settled in the area.[13][14][15]
In Oberlin's earliest years, transportation (especially for students) depended heavily on weather-dependent
On June 28, 1924, the worst flood in Oberlin history occurred on the same day that a tornado killed 62 people in Lorain. Afterward, the water was so deep that children swam in Tappan Square.[21] Damage was caused to all of downtown Oberlin.[22]
One of Oberlin's largest employers was the Federal Aviation Administration, which houses the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center overseeing the airspace of six states and a small part of Canada.[23][24]
Abolitionism
Oberlin was not founded as an abolitionist town. Its status changed with the enrollment in 1835 of the
By chance, this group encountered Shipherd, who was travelling around Ohio looking for students for his new Collegiate Institute. The group agreed to come to Oberlin, but on condition that Asa Mahan, who had resigned as a Lane trustee, come as president, and that Oberlin treat Black and white students equally, something no college in the United States did at the time. The trustees, although reluctantly, agreed to these conditions. The first Black enrolees, James Bradley and the brothers Gideon Quarles and Charles Henry Langston, did not enroll in Oberlin but in an affiliated school, the Sheffield Manual Labor Institute. (Their younger brother John Mercer Langston, who in 1888 became the first black elected to the United States Congress from Virginia, also studied at Oberlin.)
By the middle of the 19th century, Oberlin had become a major focus of the
The town of Oberlin, then, was an active "station" on the
This situation came to a head with the
The men took Price back from the arresting
Three formerly enslaved people—
The political ferment resulting from the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue led to a number of major protests throughout the northern part of Ohio, and an unprecedented boost to the anti-slavery Republican party in the 1860 state elections. The governor of Ohio wrote to the new Republican President Abraham Lincoln urging him to repeal the Fugitive Slave Law. Though in point of fact Lincoln declined this request, this decision did not prevent Southern states from seceding, and America was soon embroiled in the Civil War.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.96 square miles (12.85 km2), of which, 4.92 square miles (12.74 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.[33]
Climate
Oberlin experiences a
Climate data for Oberlin, Ohio | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 74 (23) |
76 (24) |
83 (28) |
89 (32) |
93 (34) |
104 (40) |
102 (39) |
100 (38) |
100 (38) |
92 (33) |
80 (27) |
77 (25) |
104 (40) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 32.0 (0.0) |
35.7 (2.1) |
45.8 (7.7) |
58.0 (14.4) |
69.7 (20.9) |
78.6 (25.9) |
82.7 (28.2) |
80.8 (27.1) |
74.2 (23.4) |
62.6 (17.0) |
49.1 (9.5) |
37.1 (2.8) |
58.9 (14.9) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 15.6 (−9.1) |
18.1 (−7.7) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
36.2 (2.3) |
46.9 (8.3) |
56.1 (13.4) |
60.3 (15.7) |
58.2 (14.6) |
50.9 (10.5) |
40.1 (4.5) |
31.9 (−0.1) |
21.7 (−5.7) |
38.6 (3.7) |
Record low °F (°C) | −23 (−31) |
−18 (−28) |
−15 (−26) |
6 (−14) |
19 (−7) |
30 (−1) |
38 (3) |
32 (0) |
25 (−4) |
16 (−9) |
2 (−17) |
−18 (−28) |
−23 (−31) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.25 (57) |
2.02 (51) |
2.65 (67) |
3.22 (82) |
3.60 (91) |
3.85 (98) |
3.75 (95) |
3.49 (89) |
3.25 (83) |
2.37 (60) |
3.05 (77) |
2.73 (69) |
36.23 (920) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 10.1 (26) |
9.4 (24) |
7.0 (18) |
1.5 (3.8) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
2.6 (6.6) |
8.6 (22) |
39.2 (100) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 12.3 | 10.1 | 11.6 | 12.6 | 11.8 | 11.0 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 11.7 | 12.8 | 133 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 6.0 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.6 | 5 | 21.3 |
Source: NOAA (normals, 1971–2000)[34] |
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 2,115 | — | |
1870 | 2,888 | 36.5% | |
1880 | 3,242 | 12.3% | |
1890 | 4,376 | 35.0% | |
1900 | 4,082 | −6.7% | |
1910 | 4,365 | 6.9% | |
1920 | 4,286 | −1.8% | |
1930 | 4,292 | 0.1% | |
1940 | 4,305 | 0.3% | |
1950 | 7,062 | 64.0% | |
1960 | 8,198 | 16.1% | |
1970 | 8,761 | 6.9% | |
1980 | 8,660 | −1.2% | |
1990 | 8,191 | −5.4% | |
2000 | 8,195 | 0.0% | |
2010 | 8,286 | 1.1% | |
2020 | 8,555 | 3.2% | |
2021 (est.) | 8,249 | −3.6% | |
Sources:[35][36][37][38][39][40][3][41] |
2010 census
As of the
There were 2,730 households, of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.9% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.4% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.86.
The median age in the city was 23.3 years. 14.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 37.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.5% were from 25 to 44; 18.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.
Of the city's population over the age of 25, 41.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher.[43]
2000 census
As of the
There were 2,678 households, out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.9% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out, with 14.7% under the age of 18, 36.9% from 18 to 24, 16.4% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,094, and the median income for a family was $59,358. Males had a median income of $42,170 versus $27,308 for females. The
Government
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2011) |
The City of Oberlin's motto is "live, learn, lead."[44] It is governed by a city manager and a seven-member council which is elected to two-year terms in a non-partisan election.
The city of Oberlin runs an online dashboard that displays the city's use of resources in real time. Effective from July 2013, the dashboard shows outputs of infrastructure, such as Oberlin's power plant and water treatment plant.[45]
Transportation
Oberlin lies at the intersection of state routes 58 and 511. Its municipal limits extend south to include parts of U.S. Highway 20. Oberlin also lies on a paved bicycle and pedestrian path, the North Coast Inland Trail, which travels southwest to Kipton and northeast to Elyria. The path is built on the former railroad right-of-way of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Southern Branch. Like many smaller municipalities across Ohio, Oberlin was once served by railroads but currently has no railroad service. An old station is visible along the bike path.
The Cleveland & Southwestern interurban line from Elyria served Oberlin from approximately 1903 to its demise in 1928. Its rails basically followed Oberlin/Elyria Rd / Rt 231 from the east, entering town on E. College St, then turned South and followed Rt 58 to Wellington. There was a wye at S. Main and the line continued west to Norwalk, competing with the Lake Shore Electric into the city.[citation needed]
Lorain County Transit (LCT) formerly provided one bus route to Oberlin, but route 33 was shut down because of funding shortfalls.[46]
Notable people
- Frederic de Forest Allen, (1844–1897), born in Oberlin, classical scholar[47]
- Sweet Pea Atkinson (1945-2020), Singer Was (Not Was)
- Roger Bacon (1926-2007), inventor of graphite fiber
- Antoinette Brown Blackwell, suffragist, women's rights activist, Protestant minister
- John Anthony Copeland, Jr. (1834–1859), Black, executed by hanging after participating in John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
- Aaron Dilloway, (1976-), experimental musician, owner of Hanson Records
- Linda Eastman, librarian
- Charles Grandison Finney, (1792–1875), minister, professor and president of the Oberlin College (1851–1866)
- Shields Green (1836?–1859), Black, killed during John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
- Hall-Héroult process, founder of Alcoa
- Oszkár Jászi, Hungarian social scientist, historian, and politician
- Isaac Jennings (1788–1874), medical reformer and mayor of Oberlin, orthopath.[48][49]
- Albert Mussey Johnson, (1872−1948), born in Oberlin, eccentric multi-millionaire industrialist
- Oberlin-Wellington Rescue, abolitionist and political activist in Ohio and Kansas.
- John Mercer Langston (1829–1899), abolitionist, activist, educator and politician
- Lewis Sheridan Leary (1835–1859), Black, killed during John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.
- David Lewis (1941–2001), philosopher
- Sarah Cowles Little, educator
- John Miller, American football player
- Jason Molina (1973-2013), born in Oberlin, musician and singer-songwriter
- Jason Moore, born in Oberlin, football player for the Los Angeles Chargers
- Anne Eugenia Felicia Morgan (1845-1909), professor, philosopher, writer, and game inventor
- Toni Morrison, novelist and professor emeritus at Princeton University
- Nettie Langston Napier, advocate for African-American women's rights
- Dwight Peabody, American football player
- Dirk Powell, traditional musician
- Dan Ramos, Ohio state legislator
- Julia Gridley Severance (1877–1972), artist, sculptor, puppeteer
- Lucy Stone, suffragist, activist, women's rights advocate
- Cliff Stoudt, quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1977 to 1983
- Mary Burnett Talbert, orator, activist, suffragist and reformer
- Hugh Thornton, professional football player
- Charles Henry Tyler Townsend, entomologist and biologist
- Don Treadwell, football coach
- Frankie E. Harris Wassom, educator and poet
- Dale Willman, journalist
- Matt Wilhelm, born in Oberlin, professional football player
Sister cities
Oberlin's sister cities are:[50]
- Ifẹ, Nigeria
See also
- Oberlin High School
- Oberlin Heritage Center
- Apollo Theater (Oberlin, Ohio)
- Oberlin College
References
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Oberlin, Ohio
- ^ a b c "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ US patent 400664, Charles Martin Hall, "Process of Reducing Aluminium from its Fluoride Salts by Electrolysis", issued 1889-04-02
- ^ Paul Henry Oehser (1968). The United States Encyclopedia of History. Curtis Books.
- ISBN 9780405037054.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8214-4363-7.
- ^ Harry S. Ashmore (1961). Encyclopaedia Britannica: a new survey of universal knowledge. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
- ^ a b Charles Francis Richardson; Henry Alden Clark (1878). The College Book. Houghton, Osgood. pp. 320–.
- ^ James H. Fairchild (1860). Oberlin: its origin, progress and results: An address, prepared for the alumni of Oberlin College, assembled August 22, 1860. Shankland and Harmon. pp. 45–.
- ^ Henry Cowles; Asa Mahan (1855). The Oberlin Evangelist. R.E. Gillett. pp. 1–.
- ^ "Oberlin History". Oberlin College and Conservatory. February 23, 2017. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ Theodore Clarke Smith (1897). The Liberty and Free Soil Parties in the Northwest. Longmans, Green, and Company. pp. 12–.
- ISBN 978-1-4758-0160-6.
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- ISBN 978-1-58979-183-1.
- ^ Wright, G. Frederick, ed. A Standard History of Lorain County Ohio. Chicago and New York: Lewis, 1916, 509.
- ^ James Harris Fairchild (1883). Oberlin: The Colony and the College, 1833-1883. E.J. Goodrich. pp. 237–.
- ^ Owen, Lorrie K., ed. Dictionary of Ohio Historic Places. Vol. 2. St. Clair Shores: Somerset, 1999, 892.
- ^ "1924 FLOOD IN OBERLIN OHIO :: Archives-Popular Images". dcollections.oberlin.edu.
- ^ June 28, 1924: Lorain Tornado Archived March 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Air-traffic privatization could be major economic hit to Oberlin". June 6, 2017.
- ^ "Beaver County Times - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ A statement of the reasons which induced the students of Lane Seminary, to dissolve their connection with that institution. Cincinnati. December 15, 1834.
- ^ "Anti-Slavery Movement in the United States".
- ^ a b c Sears, Stephen W. (May 20, 1990). "Big Day at Oberlin". The New York Times.
- ^ "Oberlin-Wellington Rescue". May 22, 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-317-47441-8.
- ^ Jesse Ames Spencer (1913). The United States: its beginnings, progress and modern development. American educational alliance.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8071-2976-0.
- ISBN 978-1-77089-431-0.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "NCDC: U.S. Climate Normals" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. October 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 9, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
- ^ "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). Statistics of the Population of the United States at the Ninth Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 1870. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). Statistics of the Population of the United States at the Tenth Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 1880. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
- ^ "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1910 U.S. Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
- ^ "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1930 US Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
- ^ "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ "Oberlin city, Ohio". census.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Oberlin (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ^ "Home". City of Oberlin. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Sarah Laskow (July 9, 2013). "This online dashboard shows you a city's water and electric usage in real time". Grist. Grist Magazine, Inc. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ^ $300,000 in LCT cuts approved: Greater Cleveland RTA connection in Avon Lake to end. Retrieved on 2009-05-22.
- ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
- ^ Miami University, 1977, The Old NorthWest p. 114
- ^ Derby History Quiz, at electronicvalley.org
- ^ "Chapter 13: Oberlin's Connections Around the World". oberlin.edu. Oberlin Through History. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
Bibliography
- Burroughs, Wilbur Greeley (1886-1974): Oberlin's Part in the Slavery Conflict, Ohio Archæological and Historical Society Publications: Volume 20 [1911], pp. 269–334.
Further reading
- Brandt, Nat. The Town That Started the Civil War. Syracuse University Press, 1990. 315 p.
- Hart, Albert Bushnell, ed. The American Nation: a history from original sources. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1904–1918.
External links
- City of Oberlin
- Oberlin One Town Campaign
- Oberlin Business Partnership
- Electronic Oberlin Group
- History of the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue, compiled by Jacob R. Shipherd (from Library of Congress)
- Oberlin's Namesake, a multimedia presentation on J.F. Oberlin
- OBERLIN.COM Information hub for Oberlin, Ohio and surrounding areas
- Encyclopedia Americana. 1920. .
- Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911. .