South Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Site of First Ohio State Home Football Game
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The Ohio State University First Football Team
1890
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2008
1. Site of First Ohio State Home Football Game Marker
Site of First Ohio State Home Football Game
In the fall, life for many in Columbus revolves around Ohio State University football, from the first kickoff in September to the last play in November. O.S.U.'s first home game took place at 2:30 P.M. on November 1, 1890. The Ohio State University played the University of Wooster on this site, which was then called Recreation Park. Just east of historic German Village, the park occupied the north side of Schiller (now Whittier) between Ebner and Jaeger in what is now Schumacher Place. The weather was perfect, and the crowd reportedly included a number of women, who cheered loudly. Nonetheless, O.S.U. lost to Wooster 64-0. Wooster, physically fit for the game, showed O.S.U. that training is critical to winning. The tradition of training continues. Today, on football Saturdays in Ohio Stadium on Woody Hayes Drive, the sound of an O.S.U. home game can be heard around the world.
The Ohio State University First Football Team 1890
Fred B. "Jack" Ryder, Coach
this page online
Erected 2006 by The Ohio State University, Giant Eagle, Schumacher Place Civic Association, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 92-25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1890.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 56.676′ N, 82° 59.376′ W. Marker was in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It was in South Columbus. It was at the intersection of East Whittier Street and Blackberry Alley, on the right when traveling west on East Whittier Street. The entire block where the marker was located has been rebuilt. There is no sign of the marker anywhere.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2008
2. The Ohio State University First Football Team 1890 Marker
Regionally, this marker was in Ohio’s Scioto Valley. It was also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: Historic German Village (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Schmidt's Sausage Haus (about 700 feet away); Circa 1872 (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Historic German Village (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Historic German Village (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Historic German Village (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Historic German Village (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Historic German Village
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2008
3. Site of First Ohio State Home Football Game / The Ohio State University First Football Team 1890 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 16,592 times since then and 138 times this year. Last updated on March 1, 2025, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 13, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
