The Underground Railroad has a very deceiving title because it is not underground nor is it a railroad. The Underground Railroad is in fact a "network of people who agreed to help runaway slaves." Escaping from slavery was not an easy task, and in order to do it, you had to have a plan of action with people you could trust to help you along the way. The railroad stretches all across the eastern half of the United States. Routes led to free northern states, Canada, Mexico, and to the Atlantic ocean. The exact number of slaves that escaped via the Underground Railroad is unknown, but the number ranges from hundreds to a maximum of hundreds of thousands.
The image to the left shows the routes of where the Underground Railroad led to. The most active states participating in the Underground Railroad were Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
The Underground Railroad was comprised of countless safe houses where slaves would to travel to in order to receive shelter, food, water, clothing, and direction. The people that owned these houses were called abolitionists. They didn't believe in slavery, and they wanted to help slaves escape from their harsh lives. Escaping slaves hid in barns, cellars, attics, secrets rooms, and businesses. They traveled from house to house by walking, boating, or riding in a covered wagon. The Underground Railroad had very popular lingo along with it. These are what the following things were referred to as: Escape routes: Lines People helping slaves escape: Conductors Hiding places: Stations Escaping slaves: Packages or freight |
The picture to the right shows a group of escaping slaves along the East Coast of Maryland.
Trying to escape from slavery was a very dangerous task. Some slaves were too scared to even attempt to run away because the risk of getting caught was too great. If a slave was caught trying to escape, they were severely beaten or even killed. Those escaping along the Underground Railroad had to do so in the most conscious manner. They traveled only at night and hid in safe houses or in the woods during the day. The escape to freedom was a deadly task. It was filled with famine, thirst, fear, and excruciating walks. |
When learning about the Underground Railroad, it is hard to connect this major historical event with our lives today. However, a piece of the Underground Railroad is just a few minuets away from our homes here in Westerville, Ohio. The Hanby House (pictured on the left) is home to William and Ann Hanby. It is located on 160 West Main Street Westerville, Ohio 43081. The Hanby House was a station on the Underground Railroad and was recognized as a significant Underground Railroad site by the National Park Service Network. The Hanby House is a figure that represents the past in the same places that we are living in today.
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The PowerPoint to the right shows a number of the houses that were safe stations in the Underground Railroad. Looking at these pictures of the houses can help picture the Underground Railroad in action.
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