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

The Underground Railroad on University Land

By William Fischer, Jr., December 31, 2008

1. The Underground Railroad on University Land Marker #4

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Joseph Sullivant, a member of the first Board of Trustees of Ohio State, was known as a “friend of the colored race.” He grew up in Kentucky but developed a distaste for slavery after witnessing a slave auction. Another Ohio State board member (and Professor of Agriculture) with similar beliefs was Norton Strange Townshend. Townshend served twice as a delegate to the World's Antislavery Convention. As a member of the Ohio General Assembly, he also helped to repeal Ohio's “Black Laws,” regulations that greatly restricted the lives of African Americans. Sullivant and Townshend Halls were named for these illustrious leaders.

Erected 2006 by Ohio Staters, Inc. (Marker Number 4 of 5.)

Location. 39° 59.849′ N, 83° 0.681′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. Marker is about 150 feet NNE of Enarson Hall (Old Ohio Union), 154 W. 12th Avenue, on The Ohio State University campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus OH 43210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Ohio Union (within shouting distance of this

By William Fischer, Jr., December 31, 2008

2. The Underground Railroad on University Land Marker #4

Looking south toward Enarson Hall (Old Ohio Union) in background.

marker); a different marker also named The Underground Railroad on University Land (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Browning Amphitheatre / The Outdoor Performance Center (about 600 feet away); The Ohio State University (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named The Underground Railroad on University Land (about 700 feet away); Ohio Farm Bureau Founded (approx. 0.2 miles away); Neil Avenue Gate (approx. 0.2 miles away); University Hall (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Categories. • Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Agriculture • Civil Rights • Education •

More. Search the internet for The Underground Railroad on University Land.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2019. This page originally submitted on March 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,245 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.