Great Seal of the State of Ohio


Record of the Month
This month we are featuring records sealed with the Great Seal of the State of Ohio.

The Great Seal of the State of Ohio


Today the Great Seal of Ohio is the official signature of the state and of her government. In 1802, during the Ohio territory’s bid for statehood, Ohio’s constitutional delegates stipulated that the governor was to keep the Great Seal of the State of Ohio and that it was to be affixed to all official documents. As with all signatures, the Great Seal of the State of Ohio has changed multiple times over the last 216 years. Despite the changes, the general imagery of the Seal has stayed fairly consistent, featuring a sun rising over hills, a river, and a valley, along with a bundle of 13 arrows and a bundle of wheat standing in the front.

From 1847 to the early 1900s, the Official Seal used by the governors featured a canal boat, which was a prominent mode of transportation for the state. However, throughout the 19th Century there were several variations of the Seal from the different branches and levels of Ohio’s government. 


This seal from the Ohio Supreme Court 1881, does not include either a canal boat or river.




This 1856 deed sent from the Muskingum County Recorder's Office to the Licking County Recorder's Office is missing the canal boat and river as well as only having 3 arrows in the bundle, instead of 13. Additionally, it has the word "Ohio" rising with the sun.

In 1967 the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill to refine and standardize the Seal, which was signed into law by Ohio Governor James Rhodes and is the current signature of Ohio. There has been some discussion about adding the Wright Brother’s flyer to the Seal.  
   
If these records interest you or for more information about the Great Seal of the State of Ohio, please contact us at 740-670-5121 or archives@lcounty.com.

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