Plenty to do, see in 55-acre historic district

Quaint and rich in history, Ripley, Ohio, features a 55-acre historic district, a summer farmers market, the Ohio Tobacco Festival the fourth week in August and the Ripley Flea Market. It is also home to the John Parker National Historic Landmark at 300 Front St., Ripley.

Born into slavery in 1827, John Parker was the son of a slave woman and her white master.

At age 8, he was sold and forced to walk barefoot from Virginia to Mobile, Alabama. On this journey his spirit was filled with rage for the institution of slavery, and he vowed to one day be free.

Many years later, Parker bought his freedom and in 1849, moved to Ripley where he became a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Parker frequently rowed across the Ohio River to help fugitives cross, even though there was a price on his head in Kentucky.

After the Civil War, Parker operated a foundry and was a successful businessman and inventor.

He earned two patents for agricultural inventions.

For more information on Parker and Ripley, Ohio visit www.ripleyohio.net.