Site of the First Ohio State Football Game
On the morning of May 3, 1890, Ohio Wesleyan University and The Ohio State University met at this location for a football game. It was the first game in Ohio State football history. Ohio Wesleyan had invited the newly organized team to a contest as part of OWU's May Day Weekend. The OSU team traveled here in horse drawn wagons leaving Columbus at daybreak and returning by evening. The playing field was in the flat plain to the north of this marker. It was bounded by the hill on one side and the steep-sided Delaware Run on the other. The spectators sat on the hillside to watch. Ohio Wesleyan granted special permission for coeds to be in attendance. The field was later moved to a new location behind Edwards Gymnasium because the ball frequently ended up in the creek. Ohio State won the first game over Ohio Wesleyan 20-14.
The Kroger Company
National City Bank
Dedicated May 3, 2008
Marker can be reached from South Henry Street south of East William Street (U.S. 36), on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
