Near Union City in Randolph County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Union Literary Institute
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 3, 2018
1. Union Literary Institute Marker
close up, side A
Union Literary Institute was one of the first schools to offer higher education without regard to color or sex before the Civil War. It was established in 1846 by a biracial board, including free blacks from nearby settlements. At the time, Indiana laws did not allow blacks to attend the public schools. Students labored four hours a day in exchange for room and board.
The school was supported by local and national donations, including land. Ebenezer Tucker was the first teacher, and notable attendees included Hiram Revels, the first black U.S. Senator, and James S. Hinton, the first black elected to the Indiana House of Representatives. In 1860 a two-story brick structure was built. The school was a noted Underground Railroad stop.
Erected 2016 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Union Literary Institute Preservation Society. (Marker Number IHB 68.201.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Education.
Location. 40° 4.691′ N, 84° 48.952′ W. Marker is near Union City, Indiana, in Randolph County. Marker is at the intersection of Stingley Rd (County Route 600 S) and South Arba
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Benjamin Williams (approx. 0.8 miles away in Ohio); James & Sophia Clemens & Greenville Settlement in Long, Ohio (approx. 1.7 miles away in Ohio); Spartanburg Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Palestine Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.2 miles away in Ohio); Jonathan Pierson (approx. 4.8 miles away in Ohio); Hollansburg Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away in Ohio); Memoriam (approx. 6.4 miles away); Union City Passenger Depot (approx. 8.3 miles away).
Additional keywords. Underground Railroad
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 3, 2018
2. Union Literary Institute Marker
close up, side B
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 3, 2018
3. Union Literary Institute Marker
full view, looking west into Indiana
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 3, 2018
4. Union Literary Institute Marker
full view, looking east into Ohio
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 3, 2018
5. Union Literary Institute Marker
the marker and the schoolhouse
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 3, 2018
6. Union Literary Institute Marker
the old brick schoolhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on September 14, 2019, by Daniel Eisenberg of Boca Raton, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 3, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
