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Westerville, OH

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Westerville, OH

Westerville is a city in Franklin and Delaware counties in the state of Ohio in the U.S. It is a northeastern suburb of Columbus and the home of Otterbein University. The population was 39,190 at the 2020 census.

Westerville was once known as "The Dry Capital of the World" for its strict laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol and for being the home of the Anti-Saloon League, one of the driving forces behind Prohibition at the beginning of the 20th century.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.61 square miles (32.66 km²), of which 12.47 square miles (32.30 km²) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km²) is water.

Cultures have inhabited the Westerville area for several millennia. Paleo-Indians and their successor cultures inhabited the area between Big Walnut Creek and Alum Creek. The Wyandot were the primary inhabitants when Europeans arrived, living along Alum Creek. They were forced out of Ohio in 1843.

The land that is today Westerville was settled by those of European ancestry around 1810. In 1818, Matthew, Peter, and William Westervelt, settlers of Dutch extraction, migrated to the area from New York. Matthew Westervelt donated land for the construction of a Methodist church in 1836, and the settlement was subsequently named in the family's honor. In 1839, the Blendon Young Men's Seminary was chartered in Westerville; Matthew Westervelt was one of its first trustees. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ bought the seminary in 1846, and the next year the seminary was reformed and renamed Otterbein College after the church's founder Philip William Otterbein. It continues today in Westerville as the private Otterbein University. Westerville was platted by 1856 and officially incorporated in August 1858. The town's population in that year was 275.

An 1859 town ordinance prohibited sales of alcohol in Westerville. By the 1870s, a burgeoning conflict between pro- and anti-temperance forces boiled over into the so-called "Westerville Whiskey Wars". Twice, in 1875 and 1879, businessman Henry Corbin opened a saloon in Westerville, and each time the townspeople blew up his establishment with gunpowder. Westerville's reputation for temperance was so significant that in 1909 the Anti-Saloon League moved its national headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Westerville. The League, at the forefront of the Prohibition movement, gained its greatest triumph when the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1919. The League printed so many leaflets in support of temperance and prohibition—over 40 tons of mail per month—that Westerville, by then known as "The Dry Capital of the World", was the smallest town in the nation to have a first-class post office. The League's Westerville headquarters was given to the Westerville Public Library in 1973 and now serves as a museum attached to the library. After Prohibition ended, Westerville remained dry for most of the twentieth century.

Health and wellness are paramount in Westerville, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Westerville Medical Campus stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Fit Club Westerville, Fitness 19 Gym, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Westerville, such as the Alum Creek Trail and Spring Creek Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Westerville, OH are Inniswood Metro Gardens, Highlands Park Aquatic Center, and Sharon Woods.

Population: 37,958 (2023). ZIP code: 43081. Area codes: 614, 380. Elevation: 875 ft (267 m). Area: 12.74 sq mi (33.00 km²).

FAQs

What is Westerville, OH famous for?

Westerville was once known as "The Dry Capital of the World" for its strict laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol and for being the home of the Anti-Saloon League, one of the driving forces behind Prohibition at the beginning of the 20th century. An 1859 town ordinance prohibited sales of alcohol in Westerville. By the 1870s, a burgeoning conflict between pro- and anti-temperance forces boiled over into the so-called "Westerville Whiskey Wars".

Is Westerville, OH a good place to live?

Westerville is in Franklin County and is one of the best places to live in Ohio. Living in Westerville offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Westerville, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Westerville and residents tend to lean conservative. 

What is the crime rate in Westerville, OH?

The crime rate in Westerville is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 21 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Westerville is 1 in 47. Based on FBI crime data, Westerville is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Ohio, Westerville has a crime rate that is higher than 86% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Westerville

Westerville Medical Campus 

Westerville Parks and Recreation Department

Fit Club Westerville

Fitness 19 Gym 

Anytime Fitness

Alum Creek Trail 

Spring Creek Trail

Inniswood Metro Gardens

Highlands Park Aquatic Center

Sharon Woods

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

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