Where in Ohio is Janice?: John Rankin House

John Rankin House
Ripley, Ohio

Imagine all the abolitionists meeting in this house. Who visited? What strength did the runaways need in order to escape to Rankin House along the Underground Railroad? In what way did this affect the movement to free all slaves? How much did this one family of a father, a mother and 13 children affect the lives of runaway slaves and so many others? These are the questions to ponder while learning what happened in this house.

The house was built in 1828 by John Rankin, a Presbyterian minister and leading abolit

ionist. Here he and his wife, Jean Lowry, raised 13 of their own children in addition to raising other children that came to live with them.

In the 21st century slavery of any human is accepted as a terrible wrong. In the first half of the 19th century many people in the United States – white people particularly -- accepted it as a valid business practice. Promoting social change was as hard then as it is today, and attempting to change social perception leads to persecution.

How did John Rankin make this commitment? He received many death threats for him and his family because several powerful people in the South wanted him silenced. If caught harboring runaway slaves he could have been arrested and heavily fined. Why did he risk not only his own safety, but the safety of his family as well? He made a powerful commitment.

The Rankin family

and the citizens of Ripley, Ohio are credited with helping 2000 slaves escape. Before the current dams changed the depth of the Ohio River, the narrowest part of the river along Kentucky, a slave state, was across from Ripley. Runaways could cross from the South to freedom in the North. A long stairway leads from the town to the Rankin house on the hill. After crossing the river the runaways would climb the hill to the Rankin farm. A lantern being lit in a second story window would signify that it was safe for them to approach.

Runaway slaves were probably not hidden inside the house but in barns and in the woods on the Rankin property. If looking for the actual hiding places, they are not on display.

The significance of Rankin House is also seen by its influence on one of the most important writings promoting abolition. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin made the issue of slavery more relevant to the North. She and her husband lived in Cincinnati, Ohio where John Rankin’s stories of the slaves crossing the river inspired the character of Liza in the book.

In the Cincinnati Underground Railroad Museum, there is a movie that dramatizes what life might have been like at the Rankin House. The film, following a slave’s escape along the Underground, was filmed at the Rankin House. During our visit the interpreter indicated that the Underground Railroad Museum provided more displays and information for any interested in how that system worked. The link to their site is provided below.

On display in the home are the Rankin Family Bible, their Presbyterian Hymnal and a few furnishings that are original to the family. These are labeled and can be viewed during the tour. The home is furnished with period pieces including a piano made at a company in Ripley, Ohio.

The home

sits on top of a hill over the town of Ripley. From here is an awesome view of the Ohio River and its bends between the states of Ohio and Kentucky.

Also in Ripley the Parker House is open for tours. John Parker was a former slave who bought his freedom. He was a Ripley businessman and actively helped slaves escape via the Underground Railroad. While in Ripley a tour of this home should be on the agenda.

The town of Ripley has a small town feel to it.

The downtown itself is somewhat old-fashioned containing restaurants, antique shops and bars making it a nice place to take a stroll and have lunch. At a memorial by the river are two memory boxes to be opened in 2012 and in 2065.

It was recently announced that the Rankin House will be renovated including an improved parking lot and new visitor’s center. This should improve the experience as people learn about the underground railroad and its history in Ripley.

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children –medium-low
School Age Children –medium-high
Teens –medium-high
Adults –medium-high
Senior Friendly – medium-high

Physical vs. Mental –
The home is a museum with an interpreter. Reading is not required so children can enjoy the tour.

Time to Allow for Visit –
A half-hour is ample time to tour the home.

Additional Information –

Gift Shop – yes
Food – no
Picnic – no
Multilingual – no

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 1 ¼ hours
Cleveland – 4 ½ hours
Columbus – 2 ¼ hours

Handicapped Accessibility –