Rocky Fork-Blacklick in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

McDannald Pioneer Homestead

Photographed by Mike Meinhart, January 23, 2012

1. McDannald Pioneer Homestead Marker

Inscription. This brick home was built in 1856 by John McDannald, son of Samuel and Bell (Craig) McDannald who came from Virginia in 1813. The McDannalds were prominent in the development of Blendon Township, The Central College of Ohio, and The Central College Presbyterian Church. This house served as one station on the Ohio Underground Railroad.

Erected 1976 by The Roger H. McDannald Family, The Blendon Bicentennial Committee, The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 40° 4.688′ N, 82° 53.787′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Rocky Fork-Blacklick. It is on Sunbury Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5847 Sunbury Road, Columbus OH 43230, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Scioto Valley.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: This Monument (approx. 1.3 miles away); Blendon Central Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away); Edward Phelps (approx.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

1.3 miles away); First Blendon Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Blendon Township's Early Presbyterian Churches and Church Bell (approx. 1.3 miles away); Phelps Acre Park (approx. 1.3 miles away); Blendon Township War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Squire's Glen Farm (approx. 1.4 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Blendon Presbyterian Church (was approx. 1.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding McDannald Pioneer Homestead. It was demolished by the Allstate Insurance Company on September 24, 1993, as the organization had planned to build a commercial office park there. The office park was never built and as of this writing (2025) property is undeveloped.

Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (PDF). Filed 2/17/1978. Statement of Significance:

The McDannald Homestead is on excellent, well preserved example of mid-19th century rural architecture in Franklin County.

The actual designer is unknown, however, it may hove been the work of Randal Arnold, a master craftsman who come to Blendon Township in 1825, Regardless, the house is constructed extremely well. The bricks were fired on the site and local lumber was used
By N. Recchie. “Property of the National Register” (Public Domain) and included in the Nomination Form. Dated, December 1976

2. McDannald Homestead
East and North elevations. This photograph was first filed at the the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning commission in Columbus.
for the Interior. Although quite large In scale, the sensitive handling of architectural detail contributes to the overall graceful lines of the house.

The parents of John Calvin McDannald, the builder, came to Blendon Township from Virginia In 1813. The McDonnalds and their decedents were involved in the formation and growth of Blendon Township, Central College and area churches. It has remained in the McDannald family until recently.

A similar home nearby was demolished during highway construction. The owners of the McDannald Homestead are aware of its architectural significance and are interested in its preservation.

(Submitted on February 4, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Meinhart of Gahanna, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,067 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Meinhart of Gahanna, Ohio. 2. submitted on February 4, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot showing the marker in its environment • Can you help?