Some People Don’t Know That Ohio Was The First To Do These 11 Things

If you think Ohio is a follower, think again. From important steps in American history to common objects and services we take for granted every day, Ohio was often at the forefront of many significant changes in society. The following are 11 things that you may not have known Ohio was the first to do, establish or utilize.

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1) Ohio was the first state to enact laws protecting working women.

2) Ohio is home to the first interracial and coeducational college in the United States.

3 )Ohio is believed to have been the first state to have an African American elected to public office.

4) The first ever full-time automobile service station opened in Ohio in 1899.

5) Cleveland claims to have erected America’s first traffic light on Aug. 5, 1914.

6) The first concrete street in America was poured in 1891 near the Logan County Courthouse in Bellefontaine.

7) Cleveland also claims the site of the first pedestrian button for the control of a traffic light.

8) Akron was the first city to use police cars.

9) In 1865, the first ambulance service was established in Cincinnati.

10) The first professional city fire department was in Cincinnati.

11) Cleveland was the first city to be lighted by electricity.

Were you aware of all of these? Which of these surprised you?

April Dray

April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.