Mar., 1917] Columbus, Ohio, Quadrangle 139 



It is the purpose in this paper to point out these adjustments, 

 the relations obtaining, and the influence operating between 

 the physical and cultural features. 



EARLIEST RESPONSES TO GEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS. 



Mound-builders, Indians* and the earliest white people to 

 occupy this territory were attracted to it by the opportunities 

 to hunt and probably, to some extent, to engage in a primitive 

 kind of agriculture; but the real call to colonization, to settle- 

 ment and actual occupation was a call which reached the people 

 of the central group of the original colonies and led them to the 

 level fields, fertile soils and occasional open prairie tracts for the 

 purpose of fixed agriculture. It was easy to put the land under 

 cultivation, for like most of the prairie it was not fully timbered, 

 and only a part needed to be cleared before all could be turned 

 over by the plow, and planted. So level, too, was the land that 

 none was really waste, unless too wet; and communication 

 either by canoe in stream or by wagon was easy in all directions. 

 The timber along streams and over parts of the upland plains 

 furnished all lumber needed for the quickly-built log houses, 

 fences and stock shelters, and provided ample fuel for all early 

 needs, but was not so heavy, dense or widespread as to depress the 

 people or obstruct their progress in agriculture and intercourse. 



The region earl}^ gained prominence because of the proximity 

 to the Scioto and Olentangy rivers and to their junction near 

 the center of the area. Further, its position, central in the 

 Territory of Ohio, led to the selection of its chief town as the 

 State Capital as soon as such a place was needed. This political 

 asset in turn has ministered to the development of many 

 interests in the region. 



DEVELOPMENT IN HARMONY WITH ENVIRONMENT. 



When once the farming and concomitant trading population 

 was established in the region the favorable conditions for agri- 

 culture — moist temperate climate, deep fertile soils and river 

 access to markets — encouraged the inhabitants to develop what 

 they already had; and soon Franklin County which contains 

 most of the Columbus quadrangle became known as one of the 

 most prosperous agricultural counties in Ohio. 



*Suggcstions here and at several subsequent points have come from Prof. 

 Frank Carney's papers on Ohio Geography in Bull. Den. Sci. Lab. 1910-11. 



