The Polish in Ohio

There are many different cultural groups living in Ohio. Throughout the state you can find diverse communities. Everyone is different and this diversity allows us to learn about each other and respect differences. People of Polish origin have been coming to Ohio since the late 1800's. There have been times of heavy immigration and slower periods due to economics, wars, difficulties in Poland, and job availability. The majority of Polish Americans in Ohio live in the northern areas of the state. This is due to the job opportunities that were available at the time of heavy immigration. Now, people come to Ohio from Poland for educations and professional opportunities. 

Job opportunities were the main reason that Polish people immigrated to Ohio in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Manufacturing, mining, bridge building and the iron and steel industries gave jobs to many immigrant groups, such as the Polish, in Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown and Toledo, Ohio. Many times, men would come to Ohio from Poland and work to send money for their families and relatives to come. Today, Polish people still come to Ohio. Many students come for educational opportunities. Many Polish Americans have become entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers and dentists. Some Polish communities still exist today in northern Ohio. 

Building a strong community, often built around the church, was important and necessary during early immigration. Coming to America was not easy. People didn’t speak the same language, eat the same food, or have the same cultural background. The community offered an area where most people knew each other, they spoke a common language, other than English, and shared a common culture. This was important to the early Polish immigrants. Until English became required to be taught in schools, many Polish Catholic churches had schools within them that taught children in Polish. They lived close to their work and built communities around their church to meet their needs. Today, many of these communities are diverse in culture. The communities have expanded into the suburbs of the cities and the cities and towns throughout Ohio have various cultural makeups. 

Polish people began coming to Ohio for job opportunities. Now, Ohio is home to Polish Americans with different jobs, educations, and reasons for coming here. Ohio cities still have festivals and events that allow us to learn about the Polish culture through dress, song and dance. Cultural events remain important not only to Polish Americans but to everyone. We live in a diverse society where respect and appreciation of cultures and beliefs are important for everyone. 

Resources: 

Grabowski, J.J., A. Boberg, and R. Wroblewski.  Polish Americans and Their Communities in Cleveland.  1976, Cleveland Ethnic Heritage Studies, Cleveland State University. 

Pula, James S.  Polish Americans An Ethnic community.  1995, Twayne Publishers, N.Y.