You Might Be Surprised To Learn That Gahanna is the Herb Capital of Ohio
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 12, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Every town has its own unique claims to fame. In Ohio, Cincinnati is home to the largest Oktoberfest in America. Marietta is the oldest city in Ohio. And Gahanna is the Herb Capital of Ohio. Wait… what? It’s true! Gahanna prides itself as the Buckeye State’s very own Herb Capital, and the story of just how this little town became known for, of all things, herbs, is fascinating.
Most of us pay little attention to herbs, those green things that flavor marinara sauce or salsa. At best, a seasoned home chef will have a windowsill herb plant or two -- but, if you're like me and have a black thumb, you have a robust array of dried herbs in the pantry.
The thing is, herbs are really important. Without herbs, food would be dull -- literally. Herbs add color and flavor, transforming a boring plate of pasta into something wholly, deliciously alive.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Gahanna residents became known for the quality of herbs they grew. Ohio has long been known for its ties to agriculture, but there was something in the water (or soil, as it were) that made herbs thrive in this Columbus suburb.
It's worth noting that during the 1960s and '70s the suburbs of Columbus sought to distinguish themselves from the capital by giving themselves titles that best represented their community. So in 1972, Jane Geroux, a local historical society member and avid gardener, encouraged the Ohio General Assembly to pass a resolution to declare Gahanna as the "Herb Capital of Ohio."
Between the Ohio Herb Center (pictured), Geroux Gardens, annual Herb Day (celebrated each May), Herb n' Restaurant Week, Herbal Cocktail Trail, and Creekside Park's Herbal Trail, Gahanna is a zesty little town full of resources, attractions, and experiences to help you discover the splendor of herbs.
The Ohio Herb Center is the epicenter of the action, offering a spicy menu of workshops and classes designed to get folks excited about herbs. Be prepared to get your hands a bit dirty!
It's really quite something the way in which the entire town of Gahanna has embraced its title as the Herb Capital of Ohio. But the thing is, even without this superlative status, this beguiling and beautiful Buckeye State town would be a charming and special place -- all on its own.
Did you know about this small town in Ohio and its unique claim to fame? Gahanna really is among the most charming small towns in Ohio; a place that will welcome you with open arms… and hands full of herbs!
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