John Street House, Italianate residence in Salem, Ohio.
The John Street House is an Italianate residence in Salem, Ohio, featuring ornate exterior details such as symmetrical windows and decorative brackets. The building contains a windowless basement and hidden passages that created secure routes for people seeking freedom.
Built by John Street, son of Salem's co-founder Zadok Street, this house became a key stop on the Underground Railroad. It helped many enslaved people escape northward to freedom.
The Street family was part of the Quaker community and opened their home as a refuge where the Western Anti-slavery Society worked against slavery. Visitors can see how a family used their private space to support a larger cause.
The house is visible from the street, but visitors should check in advance whether tours are available. The hidden spaces inside are not always fully accessible, so it helps to ask about current access options beforehand.
A tunnel system connects this house to neighboring buildings, forming an underground network for safe movement throughout Salem. This hidden infrastructure allowed supporters to work together while avoiding detection.
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