8. John P. Parker’s Machine Shop, Ohio
An ex-slave turned inventor, John P. Parker operated a machine shop in Ripley, Ohio, surreptitiously ferrying enslaved people across the river to safety at night and hiding them during the day. His ingenuity and bravery are detailed at the John P. Parker House Museum. Parker was born into slavery in Virginia in 1827. After purchasing his freedom in 1845, he moved to Ripley, Ohio, where he became a prominent conductor on the Underground Railroad. He frequently crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky to assist enslaved individuals in escaping to freedom. Parker’s machine shop served as a front for his abolitionist activities, providing a safe haven for those seeking escape. His house in Ripley has been designated a National Historic Landmark and restored (ripleyohio.net).
