# @columbuslibrary on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DFknk9rsdNl
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/33998224-columbuslibrary-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/bd881311cc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-02-02T13:30:09.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Columbus Library (@columbuslibrary) — https://gondola.cc/columbuslibrary

## Caption

This fraternity house is believed to be an Underground Railroad safe house ➡️

The home was built in 1856 for Robert Neil, the oldest son of William Neil, namesake of Neil Ave. Known simply as “Indianola”, it later lent its name to an avenue and two schools.

The Neils were known for their strong anti-slavery position. Henry Neil was the first Ohioan to enlist in the Civil War, which he did in 1861. At the time, Ohio was a primary path for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, with several routes passing through Columbus. 

As such, the home included many unusual passages and hidden rooms. One room was hidden between floors, only accessible through a moveable panel. In another section, a basement shaft dropped straight into a tunnel extending more than a mile away, as far as the Olentangy River.

The home changed significantly over 169 years, eventually welcoming the Kappa Sigma fraternity through unusual means. In 1909, two fraternity brothers encountered a neighbor, Thomas Francis, who had recently purchased the Indianola. Francis was being attacked by a group of intoxicated individuals, and the brothers rescued him. In gratitude, he offered to rent them Indianola for a very modest fee. The fraternity moved in.

In 1919, they purchased the home for $18,000 and remodeled it extensively to give it the Greek Revival design we see today. The original home is still encased within the updated exterior.

Kappa Sigma is one of the largest fraternities in the world, though Ohio State's chapter closed in 2021. Their more than 250,000 “brothers” include former Columbus Mayors Tom Moody and Greg Lashutka. Today, the building homes the Kappa Alpha Order.

🚂 See our new map of Columbus' Underground Railroad locations and find related events at our link in bio. 

#columbushistory #undergroundrailroad #ohiohistory

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## Tags

ohiohistory, undergroundrailroad, columbushistory

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