University District in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Underground Railroad on University Land

2 of 5

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, February 27, 2018

1. The Underground Railroad on University Land Marker

close up

Inscription. On the Ohio River in Ripley, Ohio, Reverend John Rankin (a white stationmaster) and John Parker (an African American stationmaster and ex-slave) directed escapees from slavery toward the Scioto River. In Columbus, the Scioto forked, with the east fork named the Olentangy River. The escapees were instructed to travel north along the banks of the Olentangy to a stream, Neil Run. During the 19th century, Neil Run ran easterly through a landscape that is now the campus of The Ohio State University but at the time was the Neil Farm, owned by William and Hannah Neil. Their farmhouse, which burned down in 1864, stood about where the William Oxley Thompson Library now stands.

Erected 2006 by Ohio Staters, Inc. (Marker Number 2 of 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans.

Location. 39° 59.83′ N, 83° 1.129′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the University District. It is on John H. Herrick Dr, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the southeast corner of

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the Lincoln Tower Park on the campus of the Ohio State University. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 425 John H Herrick Dr, Columbus OH 43210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Scioto Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Recreation and Physical Activity Center Solar Array (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ohio Farm Bureau Founded (approx. 0.2 miles away); Zero Waste (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Underground Railroad on University Land (approx. ¼ mile away); Neil Avenue Gate (approx. ¼ mile away); Bucket & Dipper Junior Class Honorary (approx. ¼ mile away); Mirror Lake (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Underground Railroad on University Land

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, February 27, 2018

2. The Underground Railroad on University Land Marker

(approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Additional keywords. Underground Railroad

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, February 27, 2018

3. The Underground Railroad on University Land Marker

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, February 27, 2018

4. The Underground Railroad on University Land Marker

the rock, sycamore tree,and lower grade indicate Neil Run

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,422 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 27, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.