Near Anna in Shelby County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rumley

An African American Settlement in Rural Shelby County, Ohio

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

1. Rumley Marker

in Church yard, on Hardin- Wapak road, south of the old school house

Inscription. Rumley was a colored community, platted in 1837 by Joel and Wesley Goins, who purchased 400 acres of land. They were freemen from Baltimore, Maryland. The deed to the land was granted and signed by President Van Buren. Over 500 Negroes lived in this general area. About 50 lived in Rumley. The Village was stop on the stage coach route from Lima to Piqua. It had a hotel, sawmill, grocery store, gristmill, brick factory, livery stable and three saloons. There were three schools, three churches, and three black cemeteries in the area. Only the public school and Baptist Church still remain. Rumley could claim many notable African- American inhabitants. Many of these people started to scatter after 1870, but descendants still live in this area.

Erected 2000 by Shelby County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #08 Martin Van Buren series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40° 24.874′ N, 84° 14.608′ W. Marker was near Anna, Ohio, in Shelby County. It was on

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Hardin-Wapakoneta Road (County Route 20) ¼ mile south of Blanke Road (County Route 76), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 14811 Hardin-Wapakoneta Rd, Anna OH 45302, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It was also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Village of Rumley (a few steps from this marker); Wenger One Room School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Collins Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); Lois Lenski (approx. 3.7 miles away); SP 4 Lawrence D. Rickey (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Old Anna School Bell (approx. 3.7 miles away); John W. Carey (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anna.

Regarding Rumley. This marker mentions the African-American school referred to on the Wenger One School marker.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

2. Rumley Marker

full view of marker

Rumley Church Yard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

3. Rumley Church Yard

marker can be seen in the distance

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

4. Rumley Marker

artwork on the marker

Rumley Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

5. Rumley Baptist Church

church is referenced by the marker

Old Rumley School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

6. Old Rumley School

this is the school referenced on the Wenger One Room School Marker (4-75) It is of very similar construction, and of the same time period. This school is at the corner of Blanke Road and Hardin- Wapak Road, about a quarter mile north of the Church Yard and marker.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

7. Rumley Marker

logo on the marker

Road Sign A Tee Intersect Where School Is Located image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

8. Road Sign A Tee Intersect Where School Is Located

Rumley City Limits image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 1, 2014

9. Rumley City Limits

with school in back ground

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2014, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,343 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on July 1, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 3, 2014, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.