Steubenville, Ohio

Steubenville is a city in, and the county seat of, Jefferson County, Ohio, United States and is located along the Ohio River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 18,659.

The city's name is derived from Fort Steuben, a 1786 fort that sat within the city's current limits and was named for German-Prussian military officer Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. Today, a replica of the fort is open to the public.

Steubenville is known as the "City of Murals", after its more than 25 downtown murals. It is home to Franciscan University of Steubenville and Eastern Gateway Community College (formerly Jefferson Community College).

History


In 1786-87, the soldiers of the 1st American Regiment built Fort Steuben to protect the government surveyors mapping the land west of the Ohio River, and named the fort in honor of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. When the surveyors completed their task a few years later, the fort was abandoned. In the meantime, settlers had built homes around the fort; they named their settlement Steubenville. The name Steubenville was derived from Fort Steuben to honor Baron von Steuben (the fort was named for the Baron). The town was sometimes referred to as La Belle City, a franglais interpretation of "The Beautiful City."

On July 29, 1797, Jefferson County was organized by a proclamation of Governor Arthur St. Clair, and Steubenville was selected as the County seat. The town was subsequently renamed Steubenville, in honor of the abandoned fort, and was platted in the same year by Bezaliel (Bezaleel) Wells and James Ross, the city's co-founders. Wells, a government surveyor born in Baltimore, received about 1000 acre of land west of the Ohio River; Ross, a lawyer from Pittsburgh, owned land north of his.

On March 1, 1803, Ohio was admitted to the Union as the 17th state. During the first half of the nineteenth century, Steubenville was primarily a port town, and the rest of the county was small villages and farms. Steubenville received a city charter in 1851. In 1856, Frazier, Kilgore and Company erected a rolling mill (the forerunner of steel mills) and the Steubenville Coal and Mining Company sank a coal shaft. The city was a stop along the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, which connected Pittsburgh to Chicago and St. Louis.

In 1946, the College of Steubenville was founded by the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular. In 1980, its name was changed to University of Steubenville, and finally in 1985 to Franciscan University of Steubenville.

In 1966, the Jefferson County Technical Institute was founded. In 1977, its name was changed to Jefferson Technical College. In 1995, it became a community college and was renamed Jefferson Community College. In 2009, the college expanded its service district by three Ohio counties, and was renamed again: Eastern Gateway Community College.

Geography
Steubenville is located at 40.35°N, -80.61667°W (40.359, -80.614). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.63 sqmi, of which 10.55 sqmi is land and 0.08 sqmi is water. The city lies along the Ohio River, with the city spreading west from the floodplains to the hills that surround the city. It lies within the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau.

Demographics
The city's population has continued declining. The 2010 census found 18,659 residents, down 1.8 percent from the 2000 census, while the 2011 estimate put the population at 18,440, a drop of another 1.2 percent since 2010. The poverty rate increased to 27.5 percent of the population. The proportion of the population that is white remained at 79.5 percent, while the Hispanic proportion more than doubled to 2.4 percent as the black population dropped to 15.9 percent.

From 1980 to 2000, census figures show that the Weirton–Steubenville population decreased faster than any other urban area in the United States.

Steubenville is a principal city of the Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, part of the Pittsburgh Combined Statistical Area.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 18,659 people, 7,548 households, and 4,220 families residing in the city. The population density was 1768.6 PD/sqmi. There were 8,857 housing units at an average density of 839.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 79.0% White, 15.9% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 7,548 households of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.8% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.1% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 20.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 16.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,015 people, 8,342 households, and 4,880 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,842.2 people per square mile (711.4/km²). There were 9,449 housing units at an average density of 915.4 per square mile (353.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.55% White, 17.25% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.

There were 8,342 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder, and 41.5% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,516, and the median income for a family was $36,597. Males had a median income of $36,416 versus $21,819 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830. About 15.3% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.2% of those under the age of 18 and 11.0% of those aged 65 and older.

Public health
In 1993, Steubenville had the worst air pollution of six cities studied, and had a 26% higher adjusted mortality rate than Portage, Wisconsin, the least polluted city studied. Findings were statistically significant in relation to fine particulate air pollution. The particulate air pollution is due to the city's proximity to an upwind pig iron plant.

Economy


Steubenville and the communities that surround it, especially Weirton, West Virginia, have experienced sluggish growth in their local economies since the steel industry waned during the 1980s. Corporations such as Weirton Steel have had to reduce their workforce in order to become more efficient and competitive against other steel producers and lower steel prices worldwide.

The new Findlay Connector has been built in western Pennsylvania as a toll-access highway between Pittsburgh International Airport at Interstate 376 and U.S. Route 22 in northwestern Washington County. Travel time between the Pittsburgh International Airport and the city of Steubenville is now approximately 25 minutes.

Steubenville is located near two large shale formations - the Marcellus and Utica formations. Exploiting the trapped shale oil is projected to bring 10,000 jobs to the area, though many have protested the practice of companies like Chesapeake Energy hiring non-local workers.

Historic sites
Fort Steuben, located downtown on South Third Street, is a reconstructed 18th century fort on its original location overlooking the Ohio River. Built in 1787 to protect the government surveyors of the Seven Ranges of the Northwest Territory, Fort Steuben housed 150 men of the 1st American Regiment. The non-profit organization that worked to rebuild the fort also developed the surrounding block into Fort Steuben Park that includes the Veterans Memorial Fountain and the Berkman Amphitheater. The Fort Steuben Visitors center is home to the Museum Shop and the Steubenville Convention & Visitors Bureau and is an official site on the Ohio River Scenic Byway.

Adjacent to the fort is the First Federal Land Office with its original logs from 1801. After the Ohio country was surveyed, it could be sold or given away as land grants; the settlers brought their deeds to be registered at the Land Office to David Hoge, the Registrar of Lands and Titles for the Northwest Territory.

"Ohio Valley Steelworker" Statue was created by artist Dimitri Akis as a tribute to the Ohio Valley Steelworkers. The life-size figure carries a long-handled dipping ladle and is wearing the hooded fire-proof suit worn in the steel mills. The statue was located at the junction of Hwy 22 (University Blvd) and Hwy 7 (Dean Martin Blvd). In the fall of 2014, the statue was moved to its new home, displayed on South Fourth Street at the site of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County.

There is a statue downtown commemorating Edwin Stanton, President Abraham Lincoln's secretary of war. Stanton was born and raised in Steubenville.

Sports
As of 2012, the Steubenville High School football team, Big Red, has the twentieth-most wins among U.S. high school football teams. The team had a 15–0 record in the 2005 season, ending as Ohio Div-III State Champions. The team went 15-0 in the 2006 season, repeating as state champions. The streak of regular-season victories eventually reached 68 games, and ended on October 23, 2009, with a loss to the Inkster (Michigan) Vikings.

Big Red also won the 1984 Division II State Championship in football and were runners-up in Division II in 1987 and 1988, and runners-up in Division IV in 2008.

Steubenville High has the second-most victories in the state for baseball state poll champions 1994, 1998, and 2011. and twelfth-most wins in the state for basketball.

The city is also home to Steubenville Catholic Central High School, 1993 Div-V State Champion and 2005 Div-VI State runner-up.

The Steubenville Stampede was a member of the Continental Indoor Football League.

City parks
Steubenville Board of Parks and Recreation maintains four parks within the City. Belleview Park is the main park, where the Steubenville Little League holds all of their games. Belleview also has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and picnic areas. The golf course that once was part of Belleview Park is now the property of Franciscan University. The grounds are open to the public during daylight hours and students at the University frequent the hills for cross country practice runs. Beatty Park, located in the south side of Steubenville, was reopened for public use in September 2007. A newly installed Disc Golf Course was the focus for the Park's reopening. Other activities for Beatty Park may include hiking trails, a dog park, and bird watching. Thanks to efforts by local individuals working with the Steubenville Parks and Recreation Department, the idea of Beatty Park in “state of disrepair for sometime“ is no longer the theme. North End Park maintains a softball diamond (for use by Steubenville High School), playgrounds, and a picnic area. Jim Woods Park, in the west end of Steubenville, has a walking/jogging track, baseball diamond, and a picnic area. The newest elementary school in Steubenville is located at Jim Woods Park. The Steubenville City Council has successfully sold the Belleview Golf Course along with the "Green Strip" to Franciscan University of Steubenville. This move will allow the University to expand its operations and attract more potential students. The sale has come under scrutiny as the Belleview Golf Course was the only public course in the city. Smaller Parks Exist within the city as well The Flats Park on Highland Ave. and Maple Way, Linda Way Park at the end of Linda Way, Piece of Pie Park at the end of Maryland Ave., Veterans Memorial Park near the Pleasant Heights Fire Station, Pico Park at the corner of Pico Street and Cherry Street, and Murphy's Field and Playground also on Pleasant Height. Also there is a rec center located downtown called the Martin Luther King center where they host basketball games due to the courts, weight lifting and also zumba. (Update 10/2014) Piece of Pie park was closed in late September 2014 due to increase shootings near the park, and city officials have noted it will be only temporary closure to protect the citizens. Piece of Pie park swings, tables, and all activities have all been removed at the end of September 2014.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Steubenville has a Humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Politics
The City of Steubenville is part of the 6th Congressional district of Ohio and is represented by Bill Johnson. The 6th district is the longest US House district in Ohio and runs along the southeast state borders of Ohio.

Political corruption
Steubenville has had a reputation for political corruption. Over a period of 20 years the city lost, or settled out of court, 48 civil rights lawsuits involving its police force. The city paid out more than $800,000, including $400,000 between 1990 and 1996.

In 1997, the U.S. Department of Justice alleged that the city and police force had subjected numerous individuals to "excessive force, false arrests, charges, and reports" and had engaged in practices regarding "improper stops, searches, and seizures." The report from the Department also stated that excessive force was levied against individuals who witnessed incidents of police misconduct, and against those who were known critics of the city and its police force. Those individuals were also falsely detained if the city and the police agreed that they were "likely to complain of abuse." It also stated that the officers involved also falsified reports and tampered with official police recorders so that "misconduct would not be recorded."

As a result, the city's police force became the second city in the United States to sign a consent decree with the federal government due to an excessive number of civil rights lawsuits. The decree was signed on September 4, 1997, under the "pattern or practice" provision. Under this agreement, the city agreed to improve the training of its police officers, implement new guidelines and procedures, establish an internal affairs unit, and establish an "early warning system."

Speed camera lawsuit
The speed camera program began in 2005 and earned the city $600,000 in revenues, as nearly 7,000 tickets at $85 each were issued during that time period. In March 2006, the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas ruled that the city ordinance of supporting the speed camera program was illegal and unconstitutional. The city refused to remove the cameras, however, because it stated it was "bound by contract to continue the services" of Traffipax, Inc., the US subsidiary of ROBOT Visual Systems, a German corporation. Despite attempts to remove the cameras, the city continued to defy the judge's order and reinstated an identical ordinance to continue issuing citations. Councilman at Large Michael Hernon cast the sole dissenting vote against reinstating the traffic cameras.

In mid-2006, an attorney filed a class-action lawsuit against the city of Steubenville for illegally collecting fines and generating unnecessary revenue from motorists. He won the case in December 2007 and the city was forced to refund thousands of tickets totaling $258,000. Stern also gathered enough signatures from the residents of the city to put forth a referendum that posed the question of whether the city's ordinance authorizing the speed camera program should continue. On November 8, 2006, city residents voted to end the city's speed camera program with a 76.2 percent majority.

2012 rape case
Two 16-year-old members of the Steubenville high school football team were convicted in 2013 of raping a 16-year-old girl at a series of parties on August 11, 2012. The case drew international attention as speculation grew that police and the football coach covered up the incident to protect the football players. The hacker collectives Anonymous and LocalLeaks obtained records from the police investigation and published them on their websites to draw attention to the alleged coverup.

Colleges and universities
Steubenville is home to two institutions of higher education. The Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private, four-year university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. It was founded in 1946.

The second institution is Eastern Gateway Community College. It is a public, two-year college that opened its doors in 1968; its service district includes Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties as well as Jefferson County.

On July 24, 2012, after being threatened with a lawsuit from the atheist Freedom from Religion Foundation, the Steubenville city council decided to remove the image of Franciscan University from its town logo rather than pay for a lawsuit. The city later proposed a logo that included a chapel and cross.

Public schools
Public schools in Steubenville are operated by the Steubenville City School District. There are a total of five schools in the district: Wells Academy, West Pugliese, Garfield, Harding Middle, and Steubenville High School. A portion of far western Steubenville is served by the Indian Creek Local School District.

Private schools
Several private schools are located in Steubenville. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville operates Bishop John King Mussio Central Elementary School, Bishop John King Mussio Central Junior High School and Steubenville Catholic Central High School.

Notable people
People born in Steubenville are printed in bold:


 * 4th Disciple aka El-Divine Amir Bey – Record producer
 * Danny Abramowicz (born 1945) – NFL wide receiver
 * Chinedu Achebe (born 1977) – Arena Football League linebacker
 * Eliphalet Frazer Andrews (1835 - 1915) – Painter
 * Douglas Applegate (born 1928) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1977-1995)
 * Richard C. Banks (born 1931) – Ornithologist, writer
 * Johnny Bates (1882 - 1949) – Former MLB outfielder
 * Charles Clinton Beatty (1800 - 1882) – Presbyterian minister, founder of Steubenville Female Seminary
 * Zinn Beck (1885 - 1981) – MLB infielder
 * Big Bully Busick (born 1954) – Former WWF wrestler
 * Bob Borden (born 1969) – Writer
 * Ray Bracken (1891 - 1974) – Olympic gold medal-winning sport shooter
 * Ted Brown (born 1960) – Politician nicknamed "the perennial candidate"
 * John Buccigross (born 1966) – Anchorman
 * Dino Cellini (1914 - 1978) – Mafioso, ran casinos for Meyer Lansky
 * Thomas Cole (1801 - 1848) – Artist (oil painter), founder of the Hudson River School of landscsape painting
 * Zach Collaros (born 1988) – CFL quarterback
 * Chip Coulter (born 1945) – Former MLB infielder
 * Jacob Pitzer Cowan (1823 - 1895) – Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1875-1877)
 * Ed Crawford aka ed fROMOHIO (born 1964) – Musician, guitarist
 * Sylvia Crawley (born 1972) – Former ABL forward, women's basketball head coach
 * Daniel DiNardo (born 1949) – Roman Catholic Cardinal, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
 * Philip DiStefano (born 1946) - Chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder
 * Rich Donnelly (born 1946) – Former MLB coach
 * Alexander Doyle (1857 - 1922) – Sculptor
 * Eugene Louis Faccuito (born 1925) – Jazz dancer and teacher, choreographer
 * Rollie Fingers (born 1946) – National Baseball Hall of Famer
 * Joseph S. Fowler (1820 - 1902) – United States Senator (1866-1871)
 * Roger Joseph Foys (born 1945) – 10th bishop of Covington
 * Tom "Knute" Franckhauser (1937 - 1997) – Former NFL cornerback
 * Joe Gilliam, Sr. (c. 1923 - 2012) – Tennessee Sports Hall Of Famer, former college football quarterback and coach
 * John M. Goodenow (1782 - 1838) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1829-1830)
 * Mike Gulan (born 1970) – Former MLB infielder
 * Richard Hague (born 1947) – Poet and novelist
 * Jeffrey Hatcher – Playwright, screenwriter
 * Robert H. Hatton (1826 - 1862) – United States Congressman, confederate during the Civil War
 * Joseph P. Hoge (1810 - 1891) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1843-1847)
 * Jim Hudson (1943 - 2013) – Former NFL and AFL safety
 * Dard Hunter (1883 - 1966) – Papermaker, authority on printing
 * Tony Jeter (born 1944) – Former NFL tight end
 * Cal Jones (1933 - 1956) – All-American football player at University of Iowa
 * Don Joyce (1929 - 2012) – Former NFL and AFL defensive end, wrestler
 * George Kaiserling (1893 - 1918) – FL and MLB pitcher
 * Eddie Kazak (1920 - 1999) – Former MLB infielder
 * Kinetic 9 aka Beretta 9 – Musician, rapper
 * Daniel Parkhurst Leadbetter (1797 - 1870) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1837-1841)
 * Humphrey H. Leavitt (1796 - 1873) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1830-1833, 1833-1834), United States district court judge
 * John McDowell Leavitt (1824 - 1909) – Lawyer, Episcopal priest
 * Hlib Lonchyna (born 1954) – Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Holy Family of London
 * Traci Lords (born 1968) – Pornographic actress
 * Al Mancini (1932 - 2007) – Actor
 * Dean Martin (1917 - 1995) – Singer, actor, entertainer. His daughter, Deana Martin, and her husband John Griffith, established the Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville. It is held annually in mid-June.
 * John S. Mason (1824 - 1897) – Union Army general during the Civil War, Indian fighter
 * William C. McCauslen (1796 - 1863) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1843-1845)
 * Anson G. McCook (1835 - 1917) – Union Army general, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1877-1883)
 * Edward M. McCook (1833 - 1909) – Union Army general, U.S. Minister to the Kingdom of Hawaii (1866-1868)
 * John James McCook (1806 - 1865) – Patriarch of the "Fighting McCooks" U.S. Army family
 * Jeffrey Marc Monforton (born 1963) – Fifth Bishop of Steubenville
 * Tad Mosel (1922 - 2008) – Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
 * B. Frank Murphy (1867 - 1938) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1919-1933)
 * Cas Myslinski (1920 - 1993) – USAF officer, athletic director of The University of Pittsburgh (1968-1982)
 * Jon Nese – Meteorologist, TV weather channel personality
 * Albert Newsam (1809-1864)  - Artist
 * Charles Stanton Ogle (1865 - 1940) – Actor
 * Scott Paulin (born 1950) – Actor
 * Tom Perko (born 1954) – Former NFL linebacker
 * Charles Dillon Perrine (1867 - 1951) – Astronomer
 * Wally Pesuit (born 1954) – Former NFL and USFL offensive and defensive lineman
 * Eric Piatkowski (born 1970) – Former NBA forward
 * Robert Porco – Choral conductor
 * Rees G. Richards (1842 - 1917) – Politician
 * Adam Riggs (born 1972) – Former MLB and Japanese Central League infielder
 * Stephen Return Riggs (1812 - 1883) – Christian missionary with the Dakota people, linguist
 * Will Robinson (1911 - 2008) – First African-American head coach at a Division I school
 * Rza (born 1969) – Musician, rapper, music producer
 * John Scarne (1903 - 1985) – Magician, authority and writer at card manipulation
 * Dorothy Sloop (1913 - 1998) – Jazz musician, pianist
 * Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder (1918 - 1996) – Bookmaker, sports commentator
 * Edwin M. Stanton (1814 - 1869) – Lawyer, Secretary of War (1862-1868)
 * The Stereos (formed c. 1955 - disbanded c. 1968) – Doo-wop/Pop group
 * Samuel Stokely (1796 - 1861) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1841-1843)
 * Andrew Stuart (1823 - 1872) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1853-1855)
 * Henry Swearingen (c. 1792 - 1849) – Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1838-1841)
 * Benjamin Tappan (1773 - 1857) – Founder of the city of Ravenna, Ohio, U.S. Senator (1839-1845)
 * David Stanton Tappan (1845 - 1922) – Presbyterian minister
 * Eli Todd Tappan (1824 - 1888) – Educator
 * Richard Timberlake (born 1922) – Professor of Economics
 * Gene Trosch (born 1945) – Former AFL defensive lineman
 * Edward Vincent (1934 - 2012) – Politician
 * Mele "Mel" Vojvodich (1929 - 2003) – USAF major general
 * Edward F. Walker (1852 - 1918) – Minister, general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene (1911-1918)
 * Moses Fleetwood Walker (1856 - 1924) – First African-American MLB player
 * Weldy Walker (1860 - 1937) – Second African-American MLB player
 * Patricia Welch (born 1954) – Singer
 * Wild Cherry (formed 1970 - disbanded 1979) – Funk rock band
 * Joseph Ruggles Wilson (1822–1903) – Presbyterian theologian, father of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
 * Quincy Wilson (born 1981) – Former NFL running back
 * Thomas Stokeley Wilson (1813 - 1894) – Jurist and judge, legislator
 * Mary Tappan Wright (1851 - 1916) – Novelist
 * Jack Yost (born 1945) – Politician
 * Bobby Joe Young (born 1959) – Former welterweight boxer

Fictional characters

 * Fred Mertz–one of the four principal characters in the 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy