Northeastern Tour
(Continued from page 1)| 7. Wilder House Driving east for 3 blocks at 446 East Main is the former
home of General John Thomas Wilder, noted for his leadership during the Civil War.
It is reported that his troops were the first to use the repeating rifle in the the Civil
War. His home features a high peak that normally existed only in homes or mansions
along the Ohio River. This peak is also known as "Widow's Walk" popular in
New England to watch for sailors coming home from the sea. (Odometer reading - .2 miles) There is a monument to General Wilder on the Chickamauga Battlefield outside Chattanooga, Tennessee. Continue East on Main Street
8. Library Continue east for about eight blocks at 1110 East Main and you will see the modern Greensburg-Decatur County Contractual Library built in 1994.
9. Arch Located immediately to the east of the library stands a picturesque IOOF Home archway. This site for many years served as a home for the membership of the State IOOF Lodge. (Read the plaque on the archway). (.9 miles) Continue east to Base Road. (1 mile) |
10.
Park Rebecca Park,
built by the IOOF Lodge. Driving approximately 1 mile, NE 80 turns right at the stop
sign. As you continue on NE80, on the left, in the distance you can see the
Industrial Commerce Park, begun in 1986, bringing many new jobs to the area. As you cross over I-74, you enter an area that stretches for approximately 10 mile on both sides of the roadway featuring homes and sites where the underground railroad was active in Decatur County. The underground railroad was developed by the opponents of slavery in the 1840's and 1850's. Through this volunteer system, escaping slaves could be transported from the Ohio River to freedom. The slaves were moved by various means of transportation from one home, or station, to another, usually at night. The volunteers who helped the escapees were called conductors. As they were breaking the laws of that time, they were in danger of arrest. Secrecy was of utmost importance There were numerous branches of the underground railroad along the Ohio River. Before the Civil War, many hundreds of slaves were spirited north to freedom in this manner. Watch for a home in a hill. (3.2 miles)
11. Home in Hill On the southside (right) of the road, one of the earliest earth-sheltered homes in the area can be seen. |