Worthington is a city located in Franklin County, Ohio. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 14,125. The city was founded in 1803 by the Scioto Company led by James Kilbourne, future member of the United States House of Representatives. The city was named in honor of Thomas Worthington, future governor of Ohio.
Worthington is located at 40°5'29" North, 83°1'15" West (40.091513, -83.020905).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.7 km2 (5.7 mi2). 14.7 km2 (5.7 mi2) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 14,125 people, 5,692 households, and 4,052 families residing in the city. The population density is 963.5/km2 (2,494.6/mi2). There are 5,845 housing units at an average density of 398.7/km2 (1,032.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 93.97% White, 1.71% African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.77% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,692 households out of which 31.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% are married couples living together, 7.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% are non-families. 25.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 females there are 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $68,568, and the median income for a family is $83,074. Males have a median income of $59,258 versus $39,424 for females. The per capita income for the city is $34,495. 2.5% of the population and 1.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.4% of those under the age of 18 and 4.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
On May 5, 1802 a group of prospective settlers founded the Scioto Company at the home of Rev. Eber B. Clark in Granby, Connecticut for the purpose of forming a settlement between the Muskingum River and Great Miami River in the Ohio Country. James Kilbourne was elected president and Josiah Topping secretary (McCormick 1998:7). On August 30, 1802 James Kilbourne and Nathaniel Little arrived at Colonel Thomas Worthington's home in Chillicothe, Ohio. They tentatively reserved land along the Scioto River on the Pickaway Plains for their new settlement (McCormick 1998:17).
On October 5, 1802 The Scioto Company met in Granby, Connecticut and decided not to purchase the lands along the Scioto River on the Pickaway Plains, but rather to buy land 30 miles farther north from Dr. John Stanbery and his partner, an American Revolutionary War general, Jonathan Dayton. Sixteen thousand acres were purchased along the Whetsone River (now known as the Olentangy River) at $1.50 per acre (McCormick 1998:19-27). This land was part of the United States Military Lands surveyed by Israel Ludlow in 1797 and divided into townships 2.5 miles square (McCormick 1998:29-30). On May 7, 1803 James Kilbourne arrived at what is now Worthington to inspect the Scioto Company's purchase. A work party of seven hired laborers, paid $12 per month each, soon began work clearing the forest (McCormick 1998:29).
On August 10, 1803 the Scioto Company voted to name the village for Thomas Worthington, one of Ohio's first two senators, and for each member to contribute $2 (about four days wages) to support a library.
In September 1803 the first settlers departed Connecticut by oxcart. By December 1803, Worthington was divided into 160, three quarter acre city lots with a five acre public green in the center of the village. Thirty seven persons bid between $53 and $0.25 to select a lot. Those who bid nothing were given a choice of the remaining lots. Farm lots, ranging from 20 to 130 acres and averaging 93 acres, were sold off in the same way. Both the Episcopal Church and Worthington Academy were given an 80 acre farm lot and 20 acre wood lot to provide financial support.
By August 11, 1804 the plat maps were completed, payments or notes promising payments collected and deeds prepared for all sixteen thousand acres of the Scioto Company's purchase (McCormick 1998:71). On January 28, 1805, having completed its work of apportioning land and establishing the church, school and library, the Scioto Company was dissolved (McCormick 1998:76).
On February 20, 1808 the Worthington Academy was incorporated by the Ohio legislature and a brick building was constructed facing the northeast quadrant of the public square. Its bell now adorns Kilbourne middle school. That same year James Kilbourne erected a commercial building for a newspaper. This building still stands at 679-681 High Street as the oldest commercial building in continuous use in the state.
In 1811, Ezra Griswold built a large south-facing brick tavern on the lot north of the northeast quadrant of the public square. That same year, the Orange Johnson house was constructed north of the Village Green.
During the War of 1812, several Worthington militia marched north with General William Hull's army and were surrendered at Detroit on August 12, 1812. Orders issued by General William Henry Harrison from "Northwest Army Headquarters, Worthington, Ohio" on October 28, 1812 indicate the commander, like his supply wagons, was using the road north from the capital. On September 7, 1814, Zophar Topping died while serving with Indian scouts, Worthington's only casualty during the war.
On May 24, 1813 James Kilbourne took a seat in the United States House of Representatives.
On August 25, 1817 President James Monroe visits Worthington. Also in 1817, Philander Chase moved to Worthington to become the first rector of St. John's Episcopal Church. He concurrently served as rector of Episcopal churches in Columbus and Delaware and as principle of the Worthington Academy. In June of 1818, Rev. Chase was elected Bishop of the newly organized Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.
On June 3, 1820 the Masonic Lodge #4, chartered in Connecticut in 1803 before migration, awarded a contract to brickmason and lodge member Aurora Buttles to erect a Masonic hall. This building at 634 High St. now serves as a Masonic museum.
On January 31, 1826 the Ohio Legislature incorporated the Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike. Worthington resident Orange Johnson was appointed superintendent for turnpike construction.
Source:
WorthingtonOhio.com
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