Greenfield in Highland County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Smith Tannery
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 5, 2011
1. Smith Tannery Marker
The Smith Tannery is the oldest original structure remaining in Greenfield. Built in 1821 by Revolutionary War veteran William Smith and his son Samuel, the tannery became a noted station on the fabled "Underground Railroad." The structure, which also served as the family residence, was the birthplace of Dr. Samuel M. Smith, Surgeon General of Ohio during the Civil War, and Dr. William R. Smith, who personally notified Abraham Lincoln of his nomination to the presidency in 1864.
The Smiths were active members of the Abolition Society of Paint Valley, which was established in 1833 in Greenfield and reorganized in 1836 as the Greenfield Anti-Slavery Society. In 1844, the Society assisted the efforts of Frederick Douglass, one of the nation's leading abolitionists. The Society provided an important junction on the Underground Railroad, assisting many fugitive slaves to gain freedom, including, it is said, Eliza Jane Harris of Uncle Tom's Cabin fame. The Smith Tannery was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
————————
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.
Location. 39° 21.155′ N, 83° 22.752′ W. Marker is in Greenfield, Ohio, in Highland County. It is at the intersection of Jefferson Street (Ohio Route 28/138) and McArthur Way, on the right when traveling west on Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenfield OH 45123, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Greenfield's Path To Freedom (a few steps from this marker); The Patchwork Path (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of General John E. Hull (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of Johnny Paycheck (within shouting distance of this marker); Greenfield (within shouting distance of this marker); First Presbyterian Church Site (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 5, 2011
2. Smith Tannery NRHP Marker
Also see . . . Paint Creek Freedom Trail Brochure. (Submitted on November 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 5, 2011
3. Smith Tannery and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 5, 2011
4. Smith Tannery and NRHP Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 916 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
