The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was a large part of our nineteenth century history. Many slaves were freed thanks to the "conductors" of the "railroad". This actually had nothing to do with a railroad, but a code of the terms used at a train station were used. This "railroad" started in the south but stretched all the way north to Canada. It even went through western Virginia. Blacks and whites worked together to free the slaves. The homes where the fugitives stayed had clothes, food, and a place to stay. Harriet Tubman or "Moses" was a major part of the Underground Railroad. Most fugitives and their conductor would travel at night by foot, but some would travel by boat or train. Others helping with the fugitives would help raise money or donate some of their own to help them. Each and every person risked their life to help the runaways.

Abolitionists also helped by making quilts. These quilts had the path to freedom on them. Each block on the quilt meant something different. There was one that represented the North Star. Another meant a wagon wheel. Some even meant a safe house. All this helped the fugitives and their conductors follow the Underground Railroad.