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Jervis Langdon

Jervis Langdon is better known as Mark Twain's father-in-law than he is for being an abolitionist and an active participant in the Underground Railroad. From 1847 until 1860, a most crucial time of the Underground Railroad period, Jervis Langdon and his family lived in a house on East Union. Jervis Langdon was a self-made millionaire and one of the central figures in the Underground Railroad in Chemung County. He not only provided funding, he also provided lodging and was active in anti-slavery activities in the county. This site is significant because it is the only existing Langdon home. The last home he lived in from 1860 until his death in 1870 is very well known. It was a grand mansion on Main Street in Elmira, New York and it took up a whole city block, from Church Street to First Street. In this home, Olivia Langdon married Samuel Clemens, (Mark Twain). Unfortunately, this mansion was torn down in 1939 and later replaced by a shopping plaza named Langdon Plaza.

Visitor Information: Currently not open to public.

Location: 413 Lake Street, Elmira, 14901

National Park Unit: No

Ownership: Robert Butts

Location Type: Site