SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Across Ohio, there are 15 major historic sites that showcase the Underground Railroad Trail.

Recently, the Ohio Department of Development and TourismOhio launched a new statewide trial map on Ohio.org to help people learn about the historic network.

The sites spread far and wide, but if you closely at No. 7, you’ll see what was once a safe house standing alone in between Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. 

What You Need To Know

  • A small brick home in Springfield called the Gammon House played a crucial role in history

  • The Gammons built their home in 1850, the same year the Fugitive Slave Act was passed

  • The Gammons provided food, clothes and a warm place to stay

A small brick home in Springfield called the Gammon House played a crucial role in history.

“The Gammons have a very special story,” said Gammon House President Dale Henry as he stood outside of the house.

Since 1998, Henry has worked to preserve the Gammon House and share the story.

“We’re so grateful and really appreciative that we were finally recognized as being on the main line of the Underground Railroad in Ohio. As you may or may not know, there were like 23 different routes through Ohio from the Ohio River to Canada through Ohio,” said Henry.

Both sides of Henry’s family go back more than 100 years in Springfield. He can tell you just about everything you need to know about the house and its owners, George and Sarah. 

“George Gammon was born on a reservation in Sandusky and Sarah was born in Chillicothe as a member of the Bradley family. So, they had a strong family connection here in Springfield and they were people who were well known in the community,” said Henry.

The Gammons built their home in 1850, the same year the Fugitive Slave Act was passed.

“They raised seven children in this home, and this was a significant safe house on the Underground Railroad,” said Henry.

The Gammons provided food, clothes and a warm place to stay.

Through preservation efforts, many parts of the home still stand and Henry himself has even found an artifact or two in the backyard.

“This was the actual back door of the house,” he said as he pointed to the large brick wall in the back of the home. 

Since keeping a roster would have been extremely dangerous, there’s no telling how many people or who passed through the doors while on the journey to freedom.

“Oh boy. Yeah. If that wall could talk it could tell you more stories than I could, that’s for sure,” said Henry.

The Gammon House is one of only three that was owned by a free person of color. 

The Gammon’s oldest son Charles served in the Civil War and was killed in action.

“They had to have a lot of courage to be a part of the Underground Railroad and so we’re really proud of the fact that we’ve been able to work with different partners to make the place what it is today. But we believe that the full story has not yet been told,” Henry said.

Back on June 14, 2022, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 340 designating September as International Underground Railroad Month. 

With this passage, Ohio joined 11 other states to honor the historic movement.