The city that lost a single vote to become Ohio's capital

Science · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1812, Delaware and Columbus were locked in a fierce competition to become the capital of Ohio. The margin of defeat was razor-thin: a single vote. This near-miss shaped the trajectory of a city that would eventually become a hub for education, rail, and historic preservation.

Founded in 1808 on a Mingo village site called Pluggy's Town, Delaware was established by settlers including Joseph Barber and Moses Byxbe. While the city bears the name of the Lenape or Delaware people, its early development was defined by rapid logistical shifts. For instance, the original 1808 city plan was intended for the east bank of the river but was moved to the west bank just days after filing.

The city's growth was fueled by its role as a transportation node. Delaware functioned as a station for the Cleveland Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad in 1851, later reaching primary domestic trade hubs during the 1890s. This connectivity allowed Delaware to develop a unique infrastructure, including its own electric street railway system at the turn of the century and inter-urban service by the 1930s.

Delaware also served as a site of significant social and educational evolution. During the Civil War, it hosted two distinct Union training camps: one for white recruits and another for African-Americans joining the 127th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Furthermore, the city's identity was cemented by the 1844 founding of Ohio Wesleyan University, which grew from a failed health spa and a community effort to establish a Methodist college.

Today, the city maintains a balance between its historical roots and modern demographics. It serves as the county seat with a population of 41,302, where 99.5% of residents live in urban areas. Its cultural landscape is defined by the Historic Northwest Neighborhood, which houses over 500 homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The Ohio capital built from the clay of ancient burial mounds
• Before it was the First State, Delaware was a contested frontier of shifting empires.
• Ohio's name means good river, and its mound builders traded across a continent
• The Ohio city that served as a triple capital for a new state
• Where three states meet: the industrial rise and river-bound evolution of Port Jervis
• The fraternity that survived a college-wide ban on secret societies
• Does losing your sense of self in a crowd truly make you a monster?
• Who actually counts as 'the people' in a democracy?
• How the U.S. military built a global network to connect leaders and soldiers alike.
• A rebel group born from genocide remains a persistent force in the Congo today
• A city-sized meteorite impact crater lies hidden beneath this small Iowa town
• Alabama’s population is shifting, with over five million residents now calling the state home.

More in Social scientists · More in Science · Latest · A–Z · All topics