HISTORY · HISTORICAL MARKER

The Underground Railroad

Rochester, Indiana
· 1850 - - 1865
History
2
In Indiana, the underground railroad began along the Ohio River in 1850 after the Fugitive Slave Law was passed requiring citizens to help capture runaway enslaved persons. It was created by those who objected to the law and continued until the end of the Civil War in 1865. Hoosiers eventually set up a series of stations across the state to hide, protect, and pass these escaping slaves on to the next station until, through Michigan, they reached Canada, where slavery was forbidden. This route of hideouts became known as the underground railroad, and although no records were kept of the escapees, they numbered in the thousands.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free

FIND IT

Rochester, Indiana · United States
Rochester, Indiana
CITY · 10 STOPSExplore Rochester, Indiana
Hear every story as you drive
4.7 Stars · 800+ Ratings
Hear this story on the road