Coshocton, Ohio

Coshocton /kəˈʃɒktən/[6] is a city in and the county seat of Coshocton County, Ohio, United States[7] approximately 63 mi (102 km) ENE of Columbus. The population was 11,216 at the 2010 census. The Walhonding River and the Tuscarawas River meet in Coshocton to form the Muskingum River.

Coshocton, Ohio
City
Public square with the courthouse
Location of Coshocton, Ohio
Location of Coshocton in Coshocton County
Coordinates: 40°16′4″N 81°51′24″W
CountryUnited States of America
StateOhio
CountyCoshocton
Established1811
Government
 • TypeMayor/Council
 • MayorMark Mills (D)
Area
 • Total8.17 sq mi (21.16 km2)
 • Land8.00 sq mi (20.73 km2)
 • Water0.17 sq mi (0.43 km2)
Elevation771 ft (235 m)
Population
 • Total11,216
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
11,051
 • Density1,380.68/sq mi (533.11/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
43812
Area code(s)740
FIPS code39-18868[5]
GNIS feature ID1056840[2]
Websitewww.cityofcoshocton.com
Restored canal boat

Coshocton contains Roscoe Village, a restored town of the canal era, located next to the former Ohio and Erie Canal. A heritage tourist attraction, it showcases the area's unique canal history. The city was developed on the site of a former Lenape village established in the late 1770s by bands who had migrated from the East under European pressure.

History

Under pressure from European-American colonists, Lenape had moved west across the Appalachian Mountains and into Ohio. By the late 1770s, Coshocton had become the principal Lenape (Delaware Tribe of Indians) village in the Ohio Country. Many Lenape had been forced to cede their lands in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and had migrated to Ohio Country from their traditional territory on the East Coast. In addition, they were under pressure by warfare from the Iroquois pressing down from their traditional base in present-day New York because of competition in the fur trade.

Chief Newcomer founded Coshocton, moving his people west from their former principal settlement of Gekelmukpechunk (called Newcomerstown after the chief by the few white traders and settlers there.) Most of the latter's Lenape population of 700 followed Newcomer. Coshocton was across the Tuscarawas River from Conchake, the former site of a Wyandot village. By then the Wyandot had migrated northwest, in part of a movement of numerous tribes. The name Coshocton derives from Lenape Koshaxkink, 'where there is a river crossing,' altered to Koshaxktun 'ferry' (river-crossing device).

The western Lenape were split in their alliances during the American Revolutionary War. Those who allied with the British moved further west to the Sandusky River area, closer to the British Fort Detroit. From there the British and Lenape raided colonial frontier settlements.

The Lenape sympathetic to the new United States stayed near Coshocton. White Eyes, then leader of the Lenape people, signed the Treaty of Fort Pitt of 1778, by which the Lenape hoped to secure their safety during the War, and he promised scouts and support to the rebel colonists.[8] They also hoped to lay the base for a Native American state in the new nation.

In retaliation for frontier raids by hostile Lenape and British, Colonel Daniel Brodhead of the American militia ignored the treaty. He attacked and destroyed the Lenape at Coshocton in April 1781.[9]

After the Treaty of Greenville (1795), the Ohio Country was opened to European-American settlement. They were mostly farmers in the early years.

Coshocton was originally called Tuscarawas by American colonists, after the river, and under the latter name was laid out in 1802. The young town was renamed Coshocton when it was designated county seat by the legislature in 1811.[10]

To improve their transportation of goods and people, residents of Ohio supported construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal. This enabled the transport of coal mined in the region, which was its most important resource commodity. In addition, the canal supported transport of goods manufactured by local industries that developed in the 19th century with the availability of coal.

In 1886, an idea by a local printer gave rise to the specialty advertising industry, which, from its "birth" in Coshocton, eventually developed into various manufacturing companies all over the country. Today, four specialty advertising companies still thrive in Coshocton.

Coshocton has a rich history of homes that were involved in the underground railroad.

Geography

Coshocton is located at 40°16′4″N 81°51′24″W (40.267786, −81.856628).[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.20 square miles (21.24 km2), of which 8.08 square miles (20.93 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) is water.[12]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1830333—
184062587.7%
185085036.0%
18601,15135.4%
18701,75452.4%
18803,04473.5%
18903,67220.6%
19006,47376.3%
19109,60348.4%
192010,84713.0%
193010,9080.6%
194011,5696.1%
195011,6750.9%
196013,10612.3%
197013,7474.9%
198013,418−2.4%
199012,193−9.1%
200011,682−4.2%
201011,216−4.0%
2019 (est.)11,051[4]−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 11,216 people, 4,872 households, and 2,927 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,388.1 inhabitants per square mile (535.9/km2). There were 5,458 housing units at an average density of 675.5 per square mile (260.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 1.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 4,872 households, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.9% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 42.9 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 20.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 11,682 people, 5,048 households, and 3,160 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,562.1 people per square mile (603.0/km2). There were 5,471 housing units at an average density of 731.6 per square mile (282.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.05% White, 1.63% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 5,048 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,098, and the median income for a family was $42,088. Males had a median income of $31,163 versus $22,130 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,436. About 6.8% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Coshocton's economy, once heavily dependent on manufacturing and coal mining, has diversified in recent years into a mix of manufacturing, professional services, healthcare, education, logistics, government, technology, retail and tourism sectors. Agriculture also plays a significant part in the area's economy and has throughout its history.

Major employers include: AK Steel Corporation – Coshocton Works, Annin Flagmakers, Buckeye Fabric Finishing Company, Coshocton City Schools, Coshocton Grain Company, Coshocton Regional Medical Center, Coshocton Trucking, Frontier Power, Interim Healthcare, ITM Marketing, Inc, Kraft Heinz, McWane Ductile, MFM Building Products Corporation, Ohio Central Railroad, Ohio Fabricators, SanCasT Inc, Signature HealthCARE, and Wiley Companies[14]

Roscoe Village, a restored canal-era town that is located inside the city, adjacent Clary Gardens, the city's location at the confluence of the Tuscarawas, Walhonding, and Muskingum Rivers, and near area attractions such as several wineries, breweries and distilleries, Woodbury Wildlife Area, AEP recreation lands, two golf courses, Monticello III canal boat ride and restored canal, Lake Park Complex, Forest Hill Lake and numerous camping and hunting areas contribute to a growing tourism industry.[15]

Coshocton has a rich history of entrepreneurship and innovation. It was the birthplace of the Specialty Advertising Industry, latex coated gloves, March of Dimes, Pope-Gosser China and many other industries, products and ideas.[14]

Education

Public schools

The city is primarily served by the Coshocton City School District which operates one elementary school (grades K-6) and one high school (grades 7-12). Coshocton Elementary, built in 2013, and Coshocton High School are located on the same campus along Cambridge Road.

A portion of the Northwest section of the city is within the River View Local School District and the Coshocton County Career Center also serves students in the city.

Private schools
  • Sacred Heart Elementary
  • Coshocton Christian School

College

Library

The main branch of the Coshocton Public Library system is located on Main Street in downtown Coshocton.[17]

Media

Newspapers

Coshocton is served by two print newspapers:

  • The Coshocton Tribune, a daily newspaper owned by Gannett
  • The Coshocton Beacon, a locally-owned newspaper published weekly

Radio

WTNS radio, locally-owned by Coshocton Broadcasting, with an adult contemporary format on their 99.3 FM frequency and country formats on their 1560 AM and 102.7 FM frequencies.

WHVY, broadcasting at 89.5 FM with a religious format, is also licensed to the city.

Notable people

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  2. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "A Pronunciation Guide to Places in Ohio". E.W.Scripps School of Journalism. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/del1778.asp
  9. Tanner, Helen Hornbeck; Adele Hast; Jacqueline Peterson; Robert J. Surtees; Miklos Pinther (1987). Atlas of Great Lakes Indian History. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 72, 81. ISBN 0-8061-2056-8.
  10. Hunt, William Ellis (1876). Historical Collections of Coshocton County, Ohio. R. Clarke & Company. p. 3.
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. https://www.cityofcoshocton.com/about-coshocton/
  15. https://www.visitcoshocton.com/
  16. Peterson, Richard J.; Davis, Geneva C. (1980). Education Directory: Colleges and Universities. National Center for Education Statistics. p. 542. ISSN 0730-7896.
  17. "Hours & Locations". Coshocton Public Library. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  18. "R&B Singer Vesta Williams Found Dead at 53". ABC News. Associated Press. September 23, 2011.
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