From its early founding to becoming a university town, from the interurban railroad era to the famous Little Brown Jug harness race, Delaware and Delaware County, Ohio, have many stories to tell. Pres. Rutherford B. Hayes was born here. Vincente Minnelli, set designer, director, and father of actress Liza Minnelli, spent his youth in Delaware. Delaware and Delaware County were both established in 1808. Ohio Wesleyan University opened in the heart of Delaware in 1842 and is still a major presence in the community. Starting in the 1850s, railroads made Delaware an important regional center of commerce and industry, with products ranging from grapes to chairs