Nebraska City in Otoe County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Mayhew Cabin, 1855

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

1. Mayhew Cabin, 1855 Marker

Inscription.
This cabin, one of Nebraska’s oldest structures, was built in the summer of 1855 as the home of Allen B. Mayhew, his wife, Barbara Ann (Kagy) Mayhew, and their sons, Edward and Henry. John Henry Kagi, Barbara Mayhew’s brother, lived briefly with the Mayhews before joining abolitionist John Brown in Kansas.

In February 1859 Kagi helped Brown lead eleven Missouri slaves to freedom in Iowa via Nebraska City. During the trek Kagi narrowly avoided arrest while at the cabin. He was killed in October 1859 during Brown’s raid on the Harpers Ferry, Virginia, arsenal to seize weapons for a slave uprising.

Beginning in the 1870s, stories and recollections about this turbulent era credited the cabin as an Underground Railroad station. Edward Mayhew recalled Kagi once bringing fourteen black persons (possibly escaping slaves) to the cabin for breakfast. When the cabin was moved several feet in the 1930s due to highway construction, a “cave,” allegedly used to hide freedom-seeking slaves, was recreated nearby. Legends connecting John Brown to the Mayhew cabin made it a popular tourist attraction devoted to the antislavery cause.

Erected 2009

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by Nebraska State Historical Society; and the Nelson Family Foundation. (Marker Number 466.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Abolition & Underground RR. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 40° 40.394′ N, 95° 52.194′ W. Marker is in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in Otoe County. It is on 4th Corso (Nebraska Route 2) west of South 19th Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located near the sidewalk, overlooking the Mayhew Cabin and Mayhew Cabin Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2012 4th Corso, Nebraska City NE 68410, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

2. Mayhew Cabin, 1855 Marker

(Mayhew Cabin in background)

within walking distance of this marker: Mayhew Cabin and the Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Nebraska City (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); This "ELI" Windmill (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Kregel Windmill Factory (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting (approx. half a mile away); Nebraska City Volunteer Fire Dept. (approx. half a mile away); To Commemorate Russell, Majors & Waddell (approx. 0.6 miles away); Alexander Majors Residence (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nebraska City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. This ELI Windmill (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Mayhew Cabin, 1855. National Register of Historic Places #11000013.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Mayhew Cabin

Also see . . .
1. Mayhew Cabin. Wikipedia entry:
The Mayhew Cabin was built in 1855 from hand hewn cottonwood trees and served as the home of the Mayhew family until 1864, when the cabin and surrounding property were first

Mayhew Cabin (<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

3. Mayhew Cabin (south elevation)

Aboard the Underground Railroad NPS entry:
Mayhew Cabin was built in Nebraska City, a known “free town” along the Lane Trail, a route used by freedom seekers attempting to reach Iowa after fleeing Missouri.
Click for more information.

sold. The property continued to change hands through the end of the 19th century until 1937, when owner Edward Bartling had the cabin moved to prevent its destruction by a highway project. (Submitted on July 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Mayhew Cabin. Today, you can walk through the furnished cabin to see how the Mayhew's lived and then travel down to the cellar and walk through the tunnel to better understand what the remarkable flight from slavery would have entailed. (Submitted on July 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Mayhew Cabin (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

4. Mayhew Cabin (southwest elevation)

Edward D. Bartling Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

5. Edward D. Bartling Memorial

(Mayhew Cabin in background)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

6. Edward D. Bartling Memorial

(mounted on a large boulder in front of the Mayhew Cabin)This historic site with the John Brown Cabin and cave of the “Underground Railroad” is a legacy to the people of our countryfrom
Edward D. Bartling
(1882-1948)A life-time resident of Nebraska City, Mr. Bartling gave of his resources to preserve and maintain this landmark for the public. To this civic-minded student of history and authority on John Brown and John Henry Kagi this memorial is gratefully dedicated.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.