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John Rankin House photograph

Description:

This photograph shows the Rev. John Rankin house in Ripley, Brown County, Ohio. His home sat on top of a hill across the Ohio River from slave territory and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. It was used to harbor fugitive slaves fleeing to freedom in Canada. The image was collected by Ohio State University professor Wilbur H. Siebert (1866-1961). Siebert began researching the Underground Railroad in the 1890s as a way to interest his students in history.

Fact or Fiction Description:

This photograph shows the John Rankin house.  Rankin was a Presbyterian minister and educator who devoted much of his life to the antislavery movement. His house has several secret rooms in which fugitive slaves were hidden.

Creator:

Unknown

Creation Date:

ca. 1890-1950

Collection Title:

Wilbur H. Siebert

Collection Number:

MSS 116 AV

Image Number:

AL03190