GALLIPOLIS, OHIO

'Gallipolis' is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Gallia County. The municipality is located in southern Ohio on the Ohio River. The population was 4,180 at the 2000 census. Though its population is now less than the 5,000 figure for chartering a city in Ohio, Gallipolis continues to operate under its existing city charter.^[1] The accent goes on the last syllable when pronouncing the name: gal-li-pə-'lEs or gal-li-pə-'lis (as opposed to the original French "ga-'lip-ə-lE").

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Economy

Education

Recreation

Notable natives

See also

References

External links

History

Gallipolis was settled in 1790 by French aristocrats escaping the guillotine in post-Bastille Day, pre-revolutionary France. However, the French were swindled. The Scioto Company encouraged investors in France to purchase lands in Ohio by describing a virtual Garden of Eden. However, the deeds that they had purchased proved worthless upon their arrival via riverboat. The Scioto Company did not actually own the land, which was not the land of milk and honey that they anticipated. So the disillusioned settlers petitioned Congress and President George Washington for aid, and as a result, the Ohio Company sent a group of woodsmen from Marietta to build a log cabin settlement on the current city park. In 1803 Gallia County (in honor of the Gauls), was established by the Ohio state legislature. The first U.S. census was conducted in 1820, and those accounted for at that time are known locally as the "first families." The early 19th Century also brought a large influx of Welsh, who settled in Gallipolis and nearby Rio Grande. In the late 1960s, Gallipolis gained notoriety for the collapse of the Silver Bridge, which spanned the Ohio River from Gallipolis to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Also occurring around the same time, during the UFO paranoia of the time, was the Mothman hysteria.

Geography

Gallipolis is located at (38.815222, -82.197550), along the Ohio River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²) 9.4 km² (3.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (5.73%) is water. Gallipolis is located in the unglaciated hills of southeastern Ohio.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,180 people, 1,847 households, and 1,004 families residing in the city. The population density was 445.8/km² (1,156.2/mi²). There were 2,056 housing units at an average density of 219.3/km² (568.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.57% White, 6.44% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population. There were 1,847 households out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.6% were non-families. 41.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,846, and the median income for a family was $36,477. Males had a median income of $30,032 versus $22,473 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,728. About 13.6% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Gallipolis is the hometown of Bob Evans, founder of Bob Evans Restaurant, the original one of which was located on River Road in Gallipolis. The Bob Evans Homestead is located in nearby Rio Grande, Ohio. Major employers include American Electric Power (Gavin and Kyger Creek Power Plants), Holzer Medical Center and Clinic, and Walmart.

Education

The are four schools within the city. The public schools in the city limits are Gallia Academy High School and Washington Elementary, both of which belong to the Gallipolis City School District. There also are two Christian schools - Ohio Valley Christian High School and Ohio Valley Christian School Elementary. The school district also controls two schools outside of the city limits.

Recreation

There are many recreational opportunities in Gallipolis. Activities in this area may seem limited due to its small size, but this is not true. Due to its rural area most of the activities in Gallipolis have to deal with the outdoors. A sample list of outdoor opportunities follows:

★ Fishing (There are many lakes (Ex: Lake Typhoon), Creeks ( Ex: Raccoon Creek), and of course the Ohio River.)

★ Swimming (Again there are many natural swimming resources, and the Gallipolis City Pool.)

★ Biking (A Bike trail runs throughout the county.)

★ Hiking (The Bird Sanctuary, and the O.O. Mcintyre Park provide ample ground for hiking.)
Gallipolis is home to many seasonal activities. For instance during the spring there is the annual Civil War Reenactment, and in July the River Recreation Festival. Another opportunity is the County Fair held in August. Also, in the neighboring village of Rio Grande (10-15 minutes away) in the Summer there is the Celtic Festival, and in Fall the Bob Evans Farm Festival. Another activity is the local shopping. Gallipolis is home to many unique, local owned business. Also, once a month at the fair grounds there is a large Flea Market.

Notable natives

Besides restaurateur and sausage magnate Bob Evans, other notable former or currents residents include former U.S. Congressman and Secretary of the Interior Samuel Vinton, former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones, former U.S. Congressman Frank Cremeans, syndicated columnist O.O. McIntyre, Appalachian Trail hiker Grandma Gatewood, public artist Jenny Holzer, retired U.S. Major General Geoffrey Miller, activist Steven Marxen, country music singer Lionel Cartwright, and writer/filmmaker K.J. Wetherholt, author of ''The Illumination: A Novel of the Great War (2006).''^[2]

See also

★ List of cities and towns along the Ohio River

★ Gallipolis Island

References

1. Codified Ordinances of Gallipolis, Ohio. Walter H. Drane Co., accessed online 16 May 2007
2. KJ Wetherholt biography, from Manitou Films website.

External links

★ City of Gallipolis website