Alkire House
The Alkire House is a historic home in Westerville, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. It was built in 1849 by Garrit Sharp, an early settler and a prominent Methodist leader who donated land for the town’s first church and helped start the Blendon Young Men’s Seminary, a predecessor of Otterbein University.
Sharp and his family were active in the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape to safety. The Alkire House served as both a residence and a safehouse for helping runaway slaves reach freedom in the surrounding area.
Architecturally, the brick house has an asphalt roof with wood and stone details. It features five bays across the front, two end chimneys, and a large rear addition. The central entrance has a wooden porch with a distinctive balustrade and sidelights. The foundation mixes brick and stone, and many windows and doors have stone lintels.
In 1978, the Alkire House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its historic architecture and its role in local history. It is one of fourteen National Register sites in Westerville, including several Otterbein University buildings and other nearby Africa Road houses connected to the Underground Railroad.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 03:12 (CET).