Springfield in Clark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The George and Sarah Gammom House
Historic Underground Railroad Site
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 29, 2020
1. The George and Sarah Gammom House Marker
George Gammon (1803? – 1904) and his wife, Sarah Bradley (1808- 1902) built this house c.1850 on land purchased from her parents. The gammon and Bradley families were among the many free black Springfield citizens who actively operated the Underground Railroad in Clark County. Among the seven Gammon children, five daughters and two sons, was the eldest, Charles, who enlisted in the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, and was killed in action leading up the 54th assault on Fort Wagner, outside Charleston South Carolina.
The Underground Railroad was neither underground nor a railroad, but a system of loosely connected safe havens where those escaping the brutal conditions of slavery were sheltered, fed, clothed, nursed, concealed, disguised, and instructed during their journey to freedom. Although this movement was one of America's greatest social, moral, and humanitarian endeavors, the details about it were often cloaked in secrecy to protect those involved from the retribution of civil law and slave-catchers. Ohio's history has been permanently shaped by the thousands of runaway slaves passing through or finding permanent residence in this state.
Erected 2020 by Gammon House, Inc., Friends of Freedom Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 39° 55.033′ N, 83° 48.742′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Ohio, in Clark County. Marker is on Piqua Place just south of West Clark Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 620 Piqua Pl, Springfield OH 45506, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gammon House (here, next to this marker); Robert C. Henry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Springfield City Hall Bell (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oliver S. Kelly (approx. 0.4 miles away); City Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Esplanade/Fountain Square (approx. 0.4 miles away); John M. Temple (approx. half a mile away); Daniel Rudd (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
Additional keywords. Underground Railroad
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 29, 2020
2. The George and Sarah Gammom House Marker
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 29, 2020
3. The George and Sarah Gammom House Marker
marker and house, as seen from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
