John Street House

Infobox_nrhp
name = John Street House
nrhp_type = nrhp

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caption = John Street House in Summer
location = 631 N. Ellsworth Avenue
Salem, Ohio
lat_degrees = 40
lat_minutes = 54
lat_seconds = 17
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 80
long_minutes = 51
long_seconds = 26
long_direction = W
locmapin = Ohio
architect = John Zadock?
architecture = Italianate/Neoclassical (exterior)
built = 1838
designated =
added = October 10, 1973
refnum = 73001400 [ [http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/ohpo/nr/details.aspx?refnum=73001400 Ohio Historic Preservation Office: National Register Search] . Retrieved on 2008-08-08.]
mpsub =
governing_body = Private ResidenceThe John Street House is an historic home that was part of the Underground Railroad. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in Salem, Ohio.

National Register-designated significance

The house is listed on the National Register for its architectural significance.

History and role in abolitionism

Salem, Ohio, was a major nexus of corridors along the Underground Railroad. In the city itself, there were at least six stops, primarily in the southern half, located closest to the actual railroad lines. The John Street House is one of the northernmost stops in Salem.

Built in 1838, the building was initially constructed as the residence of John Street, a son of the city’s co-founder, Zadok Street. The Street family were Quakers and active in the Western Anti-slavery Society, an abolitionist organization then headquartered in Salem. Interested in aiding fleeing slaves, the Streets altered their residence after its initial constructionFact|date=August 2008, and provided food and clandestine lodging in several hiding spaces throughout the house. In a windowless basement, fugitive slaves would sleep during the day and travel to another “station” on the Railroad by night. [Salem, Ohio, Historical Society. “John Street House: N. Ellsworth Ave., Salem, Ohio.” Salem: Underground Railroad Series, 1991.] The famous abolitionist John Brown was a frequent guest at the house.

As of 2006, two secret passageways had been positively located in the house, one in a built-in cabinet, and one trapdoor in the dining room. [Interview with Morry Johnston. 20 December 2006, Salem, Ohio.]

Controversy

With the House's role in the Underground Railroad, and its association with not only individuals important to Salem's history (John Street, Zadok Street), but also those important to national history (John Brown), it is unusual that the House is not also recognized by the National Register of Historic places for its historic contributions as well.

Current status

The John Street House is a private residence, and is not open to the public.

References