Ripley in Brown County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

John P. Parker

Abolitionist & Underground Railroad Conductor

— John P. Parker Memorial Park —

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 11, 2019

1. John P. Parker: Abolitionist & Underground Railroad Conductor

Inscription. John Parker came to Ripley in 1847 and networked with other established conductors on Ripley’s Underground Railroad: Rev. John Rankin; Thomas, Eli & Theodore Collins, & Rev. James Gilliland.

Before and during the Civil War, John Parker led a dual life, by night ferrying fugitives across the Ohio River and by day working as an iron molder. He was bold and fearless. Kentucky slave owners placed a $1,000 bounty on his head.

Parker, like Harriet Tubman, was an extractor, as Parker would go into slave territory to bring out those seeking freedom.

Recommended Reading: Parker’s autobiography: His Promised Land, and Beyond the River by Ann Hagedorn.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 38° 44.97′ N, 83° 50.939′ W. Marker is in Ripley, Ohio, in Brown County. Marker is on North Front Street north of Locust Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ripley OH 45167, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named John P. Parker (a few steps from this marker); John Parker’s Path (a few steps from this marker); Charles Young in Ripley / Colonel Young's Achievements

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(within shouting distance of this marker); John P. Parker Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The John P. Parker Family (within shouting distance of this marker); John P. Parker’s Early Life (within shouting distance of this marker); The Residence of General Granville Moody (within shouting distance of this marker); Rear Admiral Joseph Fyffe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ripley.

More about this marker. This interpretive panel has an image of a painting of an colossal John Parker, straddling the Ohio River, one foot in slave territory (Kentucky) and the other in free territory (Ohio), guiding a boat of enslaved persons to freedom.

This Interpretive Panel in John P. Parker Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 11, 2019

2. This Interpretive Panel in John P. Parker Memorial Park

The Ohio River and Kentucky is in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.