On Feb. 14, 1812, an area of wilderness on the east bank of the Scioto River - opposite the village of Franklinton in Franklin County - was designated Ohio's permanent capital. One week later, it was named Columbus - after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

The first capital of the Northwest Territory was Marietta. After Ohio became a state in 1803, Chillicothe was made its capital. In 1810, the capital was moved to Zanesville - but only for two years. After Columbus was chosen, reportedly because of its central location in the state, the General Assembly met in Chillicothe until the new capitol building was ready in 1816.

Columbus grew quickly, having been situated close to prime materials - sand, gravel and, especially, limestone - from which sidewalks and bricks for buildings were made. The arrival of the Ohio Canal, the National Road and the railroad further stimulated growth.

Columbus was chartered as a city in 1834, and it annexed Franklinton in 1870. Today, Columbus is Ohio's largest city - with a population of 711,470, according to the 2000 Census.

Rebecca Goodman

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com or call (513) 768-8361.