Benjamin House-430 S. Main St., Creston, Ohio
Recognized as the "Benjamin House" by the Wayne County Historical Society of Ohio Landmark Committee, the narrow two-story brick structure at the NW corner of St. Rt. 3 and Sterling Rd. is steeped in Canaan Township history. It was also known as the "Marsh House" on the "Public Square" of what was known as the Village of Jackson just south of Creston, Ohio. It was reportedly built as a residence sometime between 1835 to 1840 by Alonzo Benjamin. It is made of bricks that were baked on the construction site. The house was said to have served as an early stagecoach stop along what was known as the "Pike", that we know today as State Route 3. Unconfirmed reports indicate it may have been an underground railroad stop and safe haven for black americans looking to escape slavery in the south and flee north to Canada. The Benjamin family descendants continued to own the house and live on the property for well over 100 years. Following Alonzo Benjamin's death, the house was the home of his daughter and her family. Then for many years it was the residence of the builder's grandson, Spanish American War veteran Clarence Marsh, and his sisters, Mary and Annie. When Annie (Marsh) McIlvaine died in 1948 the property moved on from its Benjamin family descendant ownership and has passed through a number of owners.
Wayne County Recorder Property Transfers
- 1840
Newspaper articles
- : "Wayne County Landmark", The Daily Record, p..