In 1808, John Sells and his family traveled to Ohio to claim the land. Two years later, Sells and an Irish gentleman, John Shields, began surveying lots for the future town. According to legend, Sells requested that Shields choose its name. After much deliberation, Shields reportedly said: “If I have the honor conferred upon me to name your village, with the brightness of the morn and the beaming sun on the hills and dales surrounding this beautiful valley, it would give me great pleasure to name your new town after my birthplace, Dublin, Ireland.”

Dublin was incorporated in 1881 and officially became a city in August, 1987. Through well-managed growth, Dublin has preserved its historic past while enriching the quality of life within the community. Early nineteenth century architecture and dry limestone fences bordering its roads serve as testimonials to Dublin’s rural heritage. Many of its original buildings are listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

These reminders of Dublin’s rural beginnings compliment what has now become a thriving suburban business center. Dublin’s population increase from 681 residents in 1970 to more than 35,000 residents today can be attributed to the completion of the I-270 outer belt, the development of Muirfield Village Golf Club, and the arrival of many corporate headquarters such as Wendy’s International and Ashland, Inc.

Today Dublin encompasses nearly 24 square miles in the northwest area of metropolitan Columbus. Its population is comprised of upwardly mobile, young, married and employed citizenry, more than half of whom has children living at home. The daytime population rises to over 60,000 including residents and corporate citizens.

For more information on the history of Dublin, please contact Herb Jones at the Dublin Historical Society at 614-889-8432.

Sources: Dublin Historical Society, Ohio Historical Society, and City of Dublin.