Gallipolis, Ohio

Gallipolis, Ohio
village
State Route 7 downtown
Nickname(s): City of the Gauls[1]

Location of Gallipolis, Ohio

Location of Gallipolis in Gallia County
Coordinates: 38°48′55″N 82°11′51″W / 38.81528°N 82.19750°W / 38.81528; -82.19750Coordinates: 38°48′55″N 82°11′51″W / 38.81528°N 82.19750°W / 38.81528; -82.19750
Country United States
State Ohio
County Gallia
Township Gallipolis
Founded October 17, 1790 (1790-10-17)[2]
Area[3]
 • Total 3.83 sq mi (9.92 km2)
 • Land 3.60 sq mi (9.32 km2)
 • Water 0.23 sq mi (0.60 km2)
Elevation[4] 574 ft (175 m)
Population (2010)[5]
 • Total 3,641
 • Estimate (2014[6]) 3,607
 • Density 1,011.4/sq mi (390.5/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code 45631
Area code(s) 740
FIPS code 39-29204[7]
GNIS feature ID 1077526[4]
Website Village of Gallipolis website

Gallipolis (/ˌɡæləpəˈliːs/ GAL-ə-pə-LEES)[8] is a chartered village in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Gallia County.[9] The municipality is located in Southeast Ohio along the Ohio River. The population was 3,641 at the 2010 census. When the population dropped below 5,000, Gallipolis lost its city status and was classified as a village under state law.[10] It continues to operate its government under its existing city charter.[11]

Gallipolis is the second-largest community in the rural Point Pleasant Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Gallia County, Ohio and Mason County, West Virginia.

History

Gallipolis was first settled by Europeans in 1790: "The French 500" were a group of French aristocrats, merchants, and artisans who were fleeing the violence and disruption of the French Revolution.[12][13] They were led by Count Jean-Joseph de Barth, an Alsatian member of the French National Assembly.[14] It is the second city to be founded in the newly organized Northwest Territory of the United States. It is known as "The Old French City" because of this beginning.[15]

This was a time of rampant land speculation in the Northwest Territory, recently opened for settlement after it was organized following the Northwest Indian Wars. The French had worked with the Scioto Company, a purported land development company registered in Paris in 1789, paying its agents for land along the Ohio River. They sailed to the United States on several ships, most to Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington, DC. Fromm there they traveled overland and by the Ohio River to reach Gallipolis. The French were city people and were taken aback by the undeveloped frontier they encountered.[16]

When they arrived at the Gallipolis area, they learned their deeds of land were worthless. The Scioto Company did not own the land, for which the Ohio Company had an option for development. They survived somehow, building cabins close together in what is now City Park, with a defensive palisade and bastions. In 1795 President George Washington's administration granted the settlers free land in the French Grant in southwest present-day Scioto County, Ohio. Under the terms of this grant, settlers had to live on the land for 5 years and show cultivation in order to become owners. Settlers who chose to stay in Gallipolis had to pay again for their plots, this time to the Ohio Company.[16] Most either sold their land in the French Grant or arranged to have tenants farm it.

The name Gallipolis is a construct of the Greek or Latin prefix "Galli-" and the Greek suffix "-polis", meaning "city of the French".[17] A US post office called Gallipolis began operating there in 1794.[18]

Geography

Gallipolis is located at 38°48′55″N 82°11′51″W / 38.81528°N 82.19750°W / 38.81528; -82.19750 (38.815222, -82.197550),[19] along the Ohio River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.83 square miles (9.92 km2), of which 3.60 square miles (9.32 km2) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.60 km2) is water.[3] Gallipolis is located in the unglaciated hills of southeastern Ohio.

Public lands

Gallipolis City Park is located centrally in the city and is the site of original settlement by 18th-century French refugees. Cassius M. Canaday Memorial Playground is in the village's east end. Sports facilities include Memorial Field and Cliffside Golf Club. The waterworks facility on Chestnut Street also has green space and some ballfields.

Haskins Memorial Park is contiguous with the golf club. The Elizabeth L. Evans Waterfowl and Bird Sanctuary are adjacent to Memorial Field, which also features a skate park. The Texas Road Wildlife Area is located close by.

The village owns and operates the Pine Street and Mound Hill cemeteries. Mound Hill Park has picnic tables and is adjacent to the cemetery; both have a long view over the Ohio River, the village of Gallipolis, and the opposite shore. At least two persons of the founding French 500 were buried in Mound Hill cemetery. It was officially established in 1880 but had been used for burials before that.[20]

Climate

Gallipolis, like most of the state of Ohio, has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) transitioning into the neighboring subtropical climate. The village experiences four distinct seasons, with hot, muggy summers, and cold, dry winters. The village is part of USDA Hardiness zone 6b.[21] October is the driest month, with an average of 2.86 inches (73 mm) of precipitation.

Winters are cold, with an average January temperature of 34.3 °F (1.3 °C). Snowfall is generally very light, with a mean average snowfall of 10.9 inches (280 mm).[22] The village does not get affected by lake-effect snow, although the village's weather can be influenced by the Great Lakes and regional topography. On average, there are 109 nights per year that drop to or below freezing, and only 14 days that fail to rise above freezing.[22] Summers are hot, with an average July temperature of 78.6 °F (25.9 °C). There are an average of 39 days per year with highs at or above 90 °F (32 °C).[22]

Precipitation is generally heavier from the late spring to early summer (May through July), and on average Gallipolis receives 40.3 inches (1,020 mm) of precipitation annually; historically, annual precipitation has ranged from 27.28 inches (693 mm) in 1987 to 53.91 inches (1,369 mm) in 2004.[22] Like many places in the Midwest, Gallipolis is subject to severe weather. During the spring and summer, severe thunderstorms may be accompanied by lightning, hail, flooding and tornadoes.[23][24] Perhaps the most notable tornado event was the 1968 Wheelersburg tornado outbreak.

Demographics

The population in this rural village has declined since its peak in 1960.

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18401,413—
18501,68619.3%
18603,418102.7%
18703,7118.6%
18804,40018.6%
18904,4982.2%
19005,43220.8%
19105,5602.4%
19206,67020.0%
19307,1066.5%
19407,83310.2%
19507,8710.5%
19608,77511.5%
19707,490−14.6%
19805,601−25.2%
19904,831−13.7%
20004,180−13.5%
20103,641−12.9%
Est. 20163,462[25]−4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[26]

2010 census

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 3,641 people, 1,576 households, and 854 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,011.4 inhabitants per square mile (390.5/km2). There were 1,869 housing units at an average density of 519.2 per square mile (200.5/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 89.7% White, 5.1% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 1,576 households of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.8% were non-families. 39.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the village was 44.6 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 20.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 4,180 people, 1,847 households, and 1,004 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,156.2 people per square mile (445.8/km²). There were 2,056 housing units at an average density of 568.7 per square mile (219.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 90.57% White, 6.44% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.

There were 1,847 households out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.6% were non-families. 41.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the village, the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $25,846, and the median income for a family was $36,477. Males had a median income of $30,032 versus $22,473 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,728. About 13.6% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Gallipolis is the hometown of Bob Evans, founder of Bob Evans Restaurants. The first was located in Rio Grande, Ohio. The Bob Evans Farm is also located in nearby Rio Grande. The original restaurant was replaced in the early 21st century by a new building. The farm has become a tourist attraction, featuring a picturesque windmill in a vast field, a canoe livery, tours, and the annual Bob Evans Farm Festival. This event, held on an October weekend, attracts several thousand visitors. Bob Evans Restaurants' corporate headquarters is located in New Albany, Ohio.

Other major employers in Gallipolis/Gallia County include: American Electric Power (General James M. Gavin Plant), Ohio Valley Electric Company (Kyger Creek Power Plant), Holzer Healthcare System, University of Rio Grande, and Gallipolis City Schools.

Education

There are four schools within the village. The public schools in the city limits are Gallia Academy Middle School and Washington Elementary, both of which belong to the Gallipolis City Schools. The public school district also controls Gallia Academy High School , Green Elementary and Rio Grande Elementary, which are located outside the village limits.

The noted scientist Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first African American to earn a doctorate from an American university, served as principal of the village's Lincoln High School from 1908 to 1913.

On November 8, 2005, a bond issue was passed, allowing for both the construction of a new high school and the renovation of the three public elementary schools. The new Gallia Academy High School, which was completed in the summer of 2009, is located at 2855 Centenary Road, a few miles outside the village limits.

In addition there is a private school: Ohio Valley Christian School, which includes both elementary and secondary grades.

The village is served by the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library, the county's only public lending library.[27]

Transportation

U.S. Route 35 traverses the community, and provides a link to West Virginia across the Ohio River. State routes include Ohio State Route 7, State Route 141, State Route 160, and State Route 588. Gallipolis is served by the Gallia-Meigs Regional Airport.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The History of Gallipolis, Ohio". Archived from the original on 2008-09-16. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  2. ↑ "The History of Gallipolis, Ohio". Archived from the original on 2008-09-16. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  3. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  4. 1 2 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  6. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2015-05-23. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
  7. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. ↑ "City of Gallipolis, Ohio". Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  9. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  10. ↑ "Ohio Revised Code Section 703.01(A)". Retrieved 2007-09-15.
  11. ↑ Ohio Secretary of State. The Ohio Municipal, Township and School Board Roster 2006-2007.
  12. ↑ Gregory, William Mumford; Guitteau, William Backus (1922). History and Geography of Ohio. Ginn. p. 23.
  13. ↑ "The French 500". Gallia County Genealogical Society.
  14. ↑ Smith, William Henry (1882). "The St. Clair Papers: The Life and Public Services of Arthur St. Clair, Soldier of the Revolutionary War; President of the Continental Congress; and Governor of the North-western Territory; with His Correspondence and Other Papers". p. 195. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  15. 1 2 John Gladden, "Best Hometowns 2012: Gallipolis", Ohio Magazine, November 2012; accessed 06 September 2018
  16. 1 2 "The French 500". Gallia Genealogy. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  17. ↑ Name of France#Gaul
  18. ↑ "Post offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Archived from the original on 13 October 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  19. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  20. ↑ "Mound Hill Cemetery, Gallipolis", Gallia County, Ohio website, 2018
  21. ↑ "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2018-05-23. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ↑ "Historic floods in Gallipolis - Gallipolis Daily Tribune". Gallipolis Daily Tribune. 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  24. ↑ Adkins, Spencer (2018-05-01). "Severe Weather Season: Time to Talk Tornadoes". WOWK. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  25. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Gallia County Public Libraries". Every Library. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  28. ↑ "Michael Weldon Bartrum". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  29. ↑ http://www.oldies.com/artist-biography/Lionel-Cartwright.html
  30. ↑ "CREMEANS, Frank, (1943 - 2003)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Finding aid of "Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren Papers"". Georgetown University Library Special Collections Research Center. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  32. ↑ Dorsey, Carolyn A. "The Pre-Hampton Years of Olivia A. Davidson," The Hampton Review 14. Fall 1988. 44–52.
  33. ↑ "Carl George". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Bruce Harreld named 21st president". Iowa Now. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  35. ↑ "Getting to know the new UI president". Iowa Now. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  36. ↑ "Jenny Holzer". Art HIstory Archive: Biography & Art. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Brereton C. Jones". NNDB. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  38. ↑
  39. ↑ "Civil Rights Icon Marian Spencer to Hold Book Launch, Signing Event Oct. 22". Archived from the original on 2015-10-23.
  40. ↑ "SWITZER, Robert Mauck, (1863 - 1952)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  41. ↑ "VINTON, Samuel Finley, (1792 - 1862)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  42. ↑ "Nancy Zimpher, UC's new president, at a glance". Retrieved 2008-09-04.
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