Proudly Serving Ohio for Over 200 Years

Ohio's first Treasurer John Armstrong of Marietta actually served as Treasurer-General for the entire Northwest Territory during the years of 1796-1803. Thus, even before there was an Ohio, there was a person managing the public assets of our earliest settlers.

Armstrong was appointed to the post by Congress. After Ohio's statehood in 1803, the Treasurer of State was appointed by the Ohio Legislature until 1851, when the position was made an elective office. Throughout most of its history, the basic functions of the office have remained essentially the same. Our State Treasurer was and is responsible for collecting and safeguarding most state taxes and fees, and for managing Ohio's investment portfolio.

However, the scale and nature of Treasury operations have changed dramatically over the years. As recently as the late 19th century, for example, the Ohio Treasury handled only about $6 million in total public funds. In the year 2000, the office managed more than $160 billion in financial assets, including an investment portfolio that now exceeds $15 billion.

And whereas most people imagine that the Treasury vault is stacked full of cash, the reality is very different. Today, the vault is virtually empty, with most transactions now handled electronically. 

The Treasurer's office was located in the Ohio State House from 1861 until 1974, when it was moved to its current location in the Rhodes Office Tower in downtown Columbus. Records from 1974 show that it took a day and a half and 180 trips to move about $9 billion in securities from State House vaults to the Treasury's new offices.

This office, located just inside the west entrance to the State House, was restored to its original appearance as part of the capital building's recent renovation, and is still used for Treasury events and activities.

*These tours are conducted by the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board. For more information, please contact the Board at 614-752-6350 or click here for tour information. To take a virtual video tour of the Statehouse, click here.

If you would like to learn more about Ohio's history, visit the Ohio Historical Society Web site.