Ripley in Brown County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rankin House
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 21, 2008
1. Rankin House Marker
Underground Railroad Station
1828-1863
A State Memorial
of
the Ohio Historical Society
Erected by Ohio Historical Society.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list.
Location. Memorial has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 45.035′ N, 83° 50.578′ W. Memorial was in Ripley, Ohio, in Brown County. It could be reached from Rankin Hill Road (County Road 556) east of North Second Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial was at or near this postal address: 6152 Rankin Road, Ripley OH 45167, United States of America.
We have been informed that this memorial is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this memorial was in Greater Cincinnati and in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It was also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Reverend John Rankin House (a few steps from this marker); The Abolitionists Network (within shouting distance of this marker); A Changing River (within shouting distance of this marker); Witness Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Getting to Ripley, Ohio (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rankin Family (within shouting distance of this marker); The Underground Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Ripley Today (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ripley.
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 21, 2008
2. Rankin House
The photo was taken from the back of the house showing the many steps down to the river.
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 21, 2008
3. Rankin House
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 21, 2008
4. Rankin House
The plaque is affixed to the wall of the house near the entrance. It reads: Reverend John Rankin House has been designated a National Historic Landmark. This house was the home of an abolitionist family and conductor of the underground railroad immortalized in Harriet Breecher Stowe's Uncle Toms Cabin and possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America-1997 National Park Service United States Department of the Interior
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 21, 2008
5. Rankin House
The house dining room
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,109 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on May 17, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 23, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
