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I always found Ohio's status as unquestionably Midwestern a little strange. It's literally in the northeast part of the country, by a considerable margin. Parts of the state (including major cities) are closer to the Atlantic than the Mississippi, and the majority of the state seems far more aligned with the industrial northeast than the agricultural center of the country. For example, Des Moines is as far from Dallas as it is from Cleveland.
I'm aware it goes back to a time when Ohio was in the middle of the country, but growing up I always thought "Midwest" meant the "middle of the country" as opposed to a specific region that was more designated by culture or demographics than it was by location on a map.
Culturally, and to most people, Ohio is very representative of that Midwestern culture, but it has little in common with anything west of the Mississippi, and it's quite a ways from the middle of the country.
I never understood the term "Midwest" either, until I considered the historical context in which it was coined. I thought the term more appropriately described the middle of the West, i.e., Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and environs.
I never understood the term "Midwest" either, until I considered the historical context in which it was coined. I thought the term more appropriately described the middle of the West, i.e., Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and environs.
How about Northwestern University near Chicago? When it was founded that was actually considered the Northwest!...as in Northwest territories.
It's still not remotely central. The geographic center of the contiguous United States is on the Kansas/Nebraska border, just west of the Missouri River. Ohio, especially Cleveland, is a long damn ways from there.
I'm not arguing that Ohio isn't Midwestern - at all. I'm just saying that because of it's actual location, and the level of industry, it felt part of a different of the country to me. Just my subjective observation, and the logic behind it.
The Midwest is a large region that is more diverse than many give it credit for. People in states like OH and IN think larger cities and industry are the norm, people in states like IA, and NE think agriculture is the norm. When I lived in IA, I heard people refer to Cleveland and Detroit as "back East".
How about Northwestern University near Chicago? When it was founded that was actually considered the Northwest!...as in Northwest territories.
Exactly! Here in the Twin Cities many businesses are still or until recent decades, named "Northwest", such as Northwest Bank, Northwest Life Insurance Co., Northwest Opticians, Northwest Camera, Northwest Airlines, etc. The now-defunct Hamm's Beer's slogan was "The Beer That Grew With the Great Northwest" even into the 80s.
Location: Appalachian New York, Formerly Louisiana
4,409 posts, read 6,540,027 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IowanFarmer
I always found Ohio's status as unquestionably Midwestern a little strange. It's literally in the northeast part of the country, by a considerable margin. Parts of the state (including major cities) are closer to the Atlantic than the Mississippi, and the majority of the state seems far more aligned with the industrial northeast than the agricultural center of the country. For example, Des Moines is as far from Dallas as it is from Cleveland.
I'm aware it goes back to a time when Ohio was in the middle of the country, but growing up I always thought "Midwest" meant the "middle of the country" as opposed to a specific region that was more designated by culture or demographics than it was by location on a map.
Culturally, and to most people, Ohio is very representative of that Midwestern culture, but it has little in common with anything west of the Mississippi, and it's quite a ways from the middle of the country.
That's why I argue that the "Midwest" and the northeast should just be called... the north. because that's what it is.
Hard to answer as the Midwest is somewhat diverse, especially when comparing the eastern part (Wisconsin and Illinois east) compared with the western part (MO, IA, MN, Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas), but I'd argue for quintessential Midwest for me, Illinois and Indiana what come to mind.
Location: Appalachian New York, Formerly Louisiana
4,409 posts, read 6,540,027 times
Reputation: 6253
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay F
Combining the Midwest and Northeast would be too big of a region. Besides they are too different from each other.
No and no.
Texas and South Carolina are different but whether people like it or not they are both in the south.
Aside from that the Midwest/northeast are not that different from each other. Only at the extreme ends are they THAT different.
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