“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was based, in part, on John Van Zandt (1804-1847) who lived in a brick farm house on a hill known as Mt. Pierpont, overlooking the Miami-Erie Canal and the Mill Creek Valley near the southeast corner of what was to become Glendale. For years this home was pointed out as one of the most active stations on the Underground Railroad.

Unfortunately, the Eliza House became the property of a local church and the pastor razed the old building in order to build his residence.