Native Americans from the Hopewell, Adena, Delaware, Shawnee and Wyandot tribes were among the first inhabitants of the countryside that was to become Dublin, Ohio. After the Revolutionary War, the United States Government gave 2,000 acres of land along the Scioto River to Lieutenant James Holt as payment for his service. In 1802, Pennsylvanians Peter and Benjamin Sells purchased 400 acres of this land for their brother, John. Today, the site of the John Sells’ original purchase is known as Historic Dublin.

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 much of its historic past while enriching the quality of life within the community. Early nineteenth century architecture and dry-laid 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 complement 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 outerbelt, 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 25 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 have children living at home. The daytime population rises to more than 60,000 people, including residents and corporate citizens.

For more information on the history of Dublin, please contact Tom Holton at the Dublin Historical Society at 614-716-9149.

(Tom’s sources: Dublin Historical Society, Ohio Historical Society, and City of Dublin.)

Dublin Historical Print
Available at the Chamber of Commerce for a donation of $20.