Rankin Steps

Ohio History

Stone Stairway

These original rugged steps were below the rebuilt stairway in the last picture. We followed them to the bottom of the hill, right to the outskirts of Ripley and the river beyond. It took a good ten minutes of hard climbing to get back to the Rankin house—imagine doing it at night! The runaway slaves faced many dangers, but the conductors had their share, too. If a fugitive was found hidden in your home, you could have all your property (including business) confiscated!