London in Madison County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Alder Cabin

Oldest Dwelling in Madison County

Photographed by Jamie Abel, February 10, 2011

1. Alder Cabin Marker

Inscription. Jonathan Alder (1773-1849), first white settler in Madison County, was captured by Indians in Virginia in 1781. He was adopted and lived as a Mingo Indian; then re-united with his family in 1805. This cabin, built by Alder in 1806, was originally located one mile north at Lucas Road. Alder is buried 100 yards northeast at the rear of Foster Chapel Cemetery.

Erected 1974 by Madison County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.

Location. 39° 53.465′ N, 83° 26.144′ W. Marker is in London, Ohio, in Madison County. It is on East High Street 0.1 miles west of Channing Drive, on the right when traveling east. The marker and cabin sit in the "front yard" of the Madison County Historical Society. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 260 East High Street, London OH 43140, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Columbus Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jonathan Alder Cabin 1806 (here, next to this marker); Corner Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); London (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); London High School Veterans Memorial

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Madison County Veterans’ War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); War Savings Stamps (approx. 0.8 miles away); Madison County World War Roll of Honor (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in London.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Jonathan Alder is buried in NE Madison County, at Foster Chapel Cemetery.

Photographed by Jamie Abel, February 10, 2011

2. Alder Cabin Marker

From this angle looking west down East High Street, the marker and cabin are framed by the large, neighboring house behind it.

Photographed by Jamie Abel, February 10, 2011

3. Alder Cabin Marker

Jonathan Alder's cabin at the Madison County Historical Society's Museum of History.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 17, 2026

4. Alder Cabin Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2011, by Jamie Abel of Westerville, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,136 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 10, 2011, by Jamie Abel of Westerville, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 19, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.