Ai is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fulton County, Ohio, United States. [1] The population was 322 at the 2020 census. Ai has been noted for its short place name. [2] [3] [4]
Ai was established around 1843. [1] A post office was established at Ai in 1846, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1903. [5] With the construction of the Northern Indiana Air Line railroad during the 1850s, business activity shifted to nearby Swanton and Ai's population dwindled. [6]
The origin of the place's name has been a local controversy. Some say that it was named after the biblical city of Ai, [3] [4] while others believe that it was named after one of its founders, Ami Richards. The story continues Ami was a man, so others dropped the 'M' from his name to make the town's name more masculine. [7]
41°37′28″N83°56′19″W / 41.62444°N 83.93861°W