James and Sophia Clemens Farmstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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James and Sophia Clemens Farmstead
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Front and side of the farmhouse
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | 467 Stingley Rd., Palestine, Ohio |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architectural style | I-house |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000199 |
| Added to NRHP | March 15, 2001 |
The James and Sophia Clemens Farmstead is a very old farm in Darke County, Ohio. It is located near the Indiana border. This farm is special because it was part of a community of free Black people who lived there before the Civil War. These were people who were not enslaved. The farmstead helps us remember an important part of American history.
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The Clemens Family: Pioneers in Ohio
James and Sophia Clemens came from Virginia. They moved to Darke County, Ohio, in 1818. They worked hard and became successful farmers. Their success encouraged many other formerly enslaved people to move to the area.
This led to the growth of a community called "Longtown," also known as "Tampico." The Clemens farm was at the heart of this new community.
Longtown: A Safe Place
As years passed, Longtown became a key stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network of safe houses and routes. It helped enslaved people escape to freedom in the North.
The Clemens family were important leaders in this movement. They helped many people find their way to freedom. A special Quaker school, the Union Literary Institute, was also part of this community. It provided education for many.
The Historic Clemens Farmhouse
The Clemens family built their farmhouse around 1850. They had bought the land in 1822. The house is a two-story brick building. It has a strong limestone foundation and a tin roof.
This type of house is called an "I-house." It was a common style for farmhouses in the 19th century.
Preserving History Today
Today, no one lives in the Clemens house. However, there is a big effort to restore it. People want to make the Longtown area a state historic landmark. This would help protect its important history.
The Clemens house is already a historic site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This means it is recognized as a very important historical place. It earned this honor because of its role in local history. It is also special because of James Clemens himself. He was a very important person in Darke County's past.
