Union Township near Ripley in Brown County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Rankin House

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 10, 2025

1. The Rankin House Marker

Inscription.
In 1829, Reverend John Rankin and his wife, Jean, moved into this home that sits high above the village of Ripley and the banks of the Ohio River.

While they lived here, the Rankins' home became an important station along the Underground Railroad. From its hilltop location the home offered a wide view up and downstream of the Ohio River and could be seen from across the river in Kentucky. The Rankins would keep a light burning in a front window as a beacon for runaway slaves to guide them across the river and toward their home.

[Caption:]
Ripley, from the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. The Rankin home may be depicted along the top of the hill, once known as Liberty Hill. Historical collections of Ohio by Henry Howe, 1888.

Erected by The Ohio History Connection.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Abolition & Underground RR. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 38° 45.05′ N, 83° 50.543′ W. Marker is near Ripley, Ohio, in Brown County. It is in Union Township. It is at the intersection of Rankin Hill Road (County Route 556) and North Second Street, on the right when traveling south on Rankin Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6152 Rankin Hill Rd, Ripley OH 45167, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cincinnati

and in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Underground Railroad (here, next to this marker); The Rankin Family (here, next to this marker); Getting to Ripley, Ohio (a few steps from this marker); Ripley Today (a few steps from this marker); Witness Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Reverend John Rankin House (within shouting distance of this marker); A Changing River (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Abolitionists Network (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ripley.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Rankin House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 10, 2025

2. The Rankin House Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 10, 2025

3. The Rankin House Marker

The Rankin House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 10, 2025

4. The Rankin House

Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 22, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.