University District in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Tradition

Ohio Field

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 25, 2022

1. Tradition Marker [Front]

Inscription.

Tradition. Ohio Field. , The Field , Ohio Field was first constructed in 1898 with a seating capacity of approximately, 5,000. The field was used for athletics and a variety of events for Ohio State students and residents of Columbus. Ohio Field was also the backdrop to many military events, school performances, high school track championships, gym classes and other community events., In 1910, expansions boosted capacity to 14,000 while the popularity of The Ohio State University and its sports teams dramatically increased during the next 10 years. By 1919, nearly 20,000 fans were filling the undersized stadium on football game days. Fans overflowed from the wooden bleachers, standing 15-20 rows deep in both end zones, peering out the windows of surrounding houses and buildings, and even climbing up trees to get a glimpse of the game., With the increased popularity of Ohio State football, university leaders began discussing plans for a more modern stadium. As early as 1915, Thomas E. French, Ohio State's Athletic Board president and engineering department head, promoted the idea of a new, larger stadium. He was criticized harshly for believing that one day the Ohio State fan base would require the stadium to accommodate more than 50,000 people. After much debate, plans for Ohio Stadium, which now has a capacity of more than 100,000 fans, were implemented. Groundbreaking took place in August 1921, and the first football game was held in October 1922.,

"At 12 o'clock the immense homecoming throng began to assemble. At 2 o'clock when referee Magidsohn started play, every seat was taken and aisle in the stands occupied, while trees and nearby buildings bore many anxious followers of Ohio State." , Homecoming, Ohio State Journal, November 18, 1917

, [Timeline:] ,

1899: First special train to an away game carried 300 fans to Oberlin. , 1904: New York City subway opens. , 1908: Ford Model T is invented , 1910: Football ticket price was approximately $2.50., 1912: The Titanic sinks. , 1915: Albert Einstein published the theory of relativity.

"The stands resembled a living, throbbing, nervous mass which lost all consciousness when Ohio State gained some slight advantage." , Ohio State Journal, November 18, 1917

The Field
Ohio Field was first constructed in 1898 with a seating capacity of approximately, 5,000. The field was used for athletics and a variety of events for Ohio State students and residents of Columbus. Ohio Field was also the backdrop to many military events, school performances, high school track championships, gym classes and other community events.

In 1910, expansions boosted capacity to 14,000 while the popularity of The Ohio State University and its sports teams dramatically increased during the next 10 years. By 1919, nearly 20,000 fans were filling the undersized stadium on football game days. Fans overflowed from the wooden bleachers, standing 15-20 rows deep in both end zones, peering out the windows of surrounding houses and buildings, and even climbing up trees to get a glimpse of the game.

With the increased popularity of Ohio State football, university leaders began discussing plans for a more modern stadium. As early as 1915, Thomas E. French, Ohio State's Athletic Board president and engineering department head, promoted the idea of a new, larger stadium. He was criticized harshly for believing that one day the Ohio State fan base would require the stadium to accommodate more than 50,000 people. After much debate, plans for Ohio Stadium, which now has a capacity of more than 100,000

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fans, were implemented. Groundbreaking took place in August 1921, and the first football game was held in October 1922.

"At 12 o'clock the immense homecoming throng began to assemble. At 2 o'clock when referee Magidsohn started play, every seat was taken and aisle in the stands occupied, while trees and nearby buildings bore many anxious followers of Ohio State."
Homecoming, Ohio State Journal, November 18, 1917

[Timeline:]

1899: First special train to an away game carried 300 fans to Oberlin.
1904: New York City subway opens.
1908: Ford Model T is invented
1910: Football ticket price was approximately $2.50.

1912: The Titanic sinks.
1915: Albert Einstein published the theory of relativity.

"The stands resembled a living, throbbing, nervous mass which lost all consciousness when Ohio State gained some slight advantage."
Ohio State Journal, November 18, 1917

Erected by The Ohio State University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1921.

Location.

Tradition Marker [Back] image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 25, 2022

2. Tradition Marker [Back]

40° 0.115′ N, 83° 0.533′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the University District. It is on North High Street south of West 18th Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1945 N High St, Columbus OH 43210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Scioto Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Athletes (within shouting distance of this marker); Chilled Water (within shouting distance of this marker); Spirit (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Ohio Field (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Leaders (about 400 feet away); University School (about 600 feet away); World War II Memorial (about 600 feet away); Roy J. Plunkett (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Tradition Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 25, 2022

3. Tradition Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 366 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 28, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.