Ohio’s underground railroad

By Marissa Mullett

While not an actual “railroad,” the system of secret routes from America’s Southern slave states to freedom in Canada prior to the Civil War became known as the Underground Railroad. Ohio’s Underground Railroad system embraced slaves who thirsted for freedom as they fought for their lives and dignity on their way northward. From 1816 up until the years preceding the Civil War, runaway slaves viewed Ohio as a land of liberty.

“Freedom was the most important thing to those who sought (the Underground Railroad) and they were prepared to fight and die for it. It still is,” said Cathy Nelson, Ohio Underground Railroad Association state coordinator.

Ohio’s history is rich with Underground Railroad stories and facts. Since the entire Underground Railroad operation was extremely secretive, formal communication was not present to facilitate the efforts. Despite this shortfall, Ohio managed to run an extremely well organized system.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio’s Underground Railroad operation was larger than those in any other state at one point in time. Activity on the railroad peaked in the 1840s when nearly 3,000 miles of secret routes meandered throughout the state, and some 23 points of entry were established along the Ohio River. Because of the secrecy surrounding the railroad, no exact records exist on how many slaves sought shelter in Ohio, but historians estimate that 40,000 slaves passed through Ohio’s Underground Railroad.

In the 21st century, reminders of the Underground Railroad that operated in Ohio are scattered across the state’s landscape. Road names, barns and homes are evidence of this covert operation that brought comfort to runaway slaves and a hope for a better life.

For those who drive Africa Road (a highly traveled road in suburban Delaware County), think about the group of 35 freed slaves who settled there and established a safe haven for runaways the next time the road sign goes by the car window. Westerville, a suburb of Columbus, was an Underground Railroad hot spot where slaves found refuge in cabins on the town’s north side. Area farmers made some slaves employees, as they needed help with harvest. The farmers risked hefty fines and imprisonment when they help escapees, and the freed slaves put their own freedom on the line to help others achieve what they already had.

Ripley is home to the Rankin House, where John Rankin, a Presbyterian minister, sheltered some 2,000 slaves during the movement. His home could accommodate up to 12 slaves at once. Although Ohio has lost some of the physical landmarks of its Underground Railroad, those preserved today serve as a constant reminder of the quest for freedom and dignity.

The Ohio Underground Railroad Society has made it a priority to take action toward preserving sites such as the Rankin House. “The Ohio Underground Railroad Society has been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of preservation on the hundreds of sites that still remain in the state,” Nelson said.

For further reading on Ohio’s Underground Railroad, visit the following sites:

Ohio Historical Society

Friends of Freedom Society Ohio Underground Railroad Assoc.

Marissa Mullett is a freelance writer from Union County.

To comment on this article, e-mail info@ourohio.org

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Click here to login or register.