Wagon Wheel at the Historic Gardner Homestead

This is a view of back of the house on the Ozem Gardner homestead as it appeared in November, 2018. The homestead was purchased by the Flint Cemetery in May, 2017. The property adjoins the cemetery, separated only by a creek and ravine.

The home’s builder, Ozem Gardner, came to central Ohio from Ostego County, New York, in 1817. He worked as brickmaker until he could save enough money to purchase 65 acres of farmland on Flint Road in 1821. He lived in a log cabin until late 1830's. The brick farmhouse was built around 1850. An active member of the Anti-Slavery Society of Worthington, Gardner operated an Underground Railroad station on his property. It has been said that he assisted more than 200 enslaved people on their journey to seek freedom in Canada. Ozem Gardner lived in this home until his death in 1880.

A notable previous resident of the home was Henry Hancock and his family, who lived there for approximately 30 years. According to an interview with his granddaughter, Hancock was the first Black sheriff’s deputy in Franklin County. He also ran a business, Funeral Police Escort, for more than 40 years.

The wheel pictured leaning against the brick wall was allegedly taken from the cart that Gardner used to transport enslaved people seeking their freedom. Hancock’s children played with the wheel when they were young.