Sylvania in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Harroun Family Barn
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 20, 2016
1. The Harroun Family Barn Marker
The David and Clarissa Harroun family migrated to Sylvania in 1835 and built their home, and in 1858 the barn, on this site. Four generations of this Harroun family called this property home, from 1835-1938. While here, David, Clarissa, and their son Edwin became involved in aiding fugitive slaves across the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada. David secretly transported the runaways from Maumee to Sylvania in his lumber wagons. The fugitives were covered in hay, and the wagons were driven at night to avoid detection. Once on Harroun's property, they were hidden in the attic of the home or the hayloft of the barn. The Lathrop family, who lived on a farm to the west, helped the Harrouns by hiding fugitives in the basement of their home. From Sylvania, the runaways were taken to Bedford, Petersburg, or Monroe in Michigan where they were then transported toward Detroit for their crossing into Canada.
Erected 2009 by Sylvania Area Historical Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 55-48.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Settlements & Settlers
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Location. 41° 42.663′ N, 83° 41.646′ W. Marker is in Sylvania, Ohio, in Lucas County. Marker is on Harroun Road north of Ravine Drive, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the east side of the street, in front of the Harroun Barn, adjacent to the grounds of Flower Hospital. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5200 Harroun Road, Sylvania OH 43560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lathrops of Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio (approx. 0.4 miles away); Toledo Memorial Park & Mausoleum (approx. half a mile away); Requiescat In Peace (approx. half a mile away); Toledo and Western Railway Company (approx. half a mile away); Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sylvania Heritage Museum (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sister City Garden (approx. 0.7 miles away); Remembering With Honor (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sylvania.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 20, 2016
2. The Harroun Family Barn Marker
View of the marker, looking north along Harroun Road.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 20, 2016
3. The Harroun Family Barn Marker
View of the marker, looking south along Harroun Road.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 20, 2016
4. The Harroun Family Barn Marker
View of the marker with the Harroun Family Barn in the background.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, May 20, 2016
5. The Harroun Family Barn Marker
View of the marker, along with two buildings associated with the Harroun Family Barn, and a distant view of Flower Hospital.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2016, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,578 times since then and 136 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 21, 2016, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
