Tribeca in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Underground Railroad Station
36 Lispenard Street
Photographed By R. C.
1. Underground Railroad Station Marker
Inscription.
Underground Railroad Station. 36 Lispenard Street. On September 3, 1838, human-rights activist Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in Maryland by disguising himself as a sailor and traveling North by carriage, train and boat. A few days later he arrived at 36 Lispenard Street, then a small brick building and a "Station" on the Underground Railroad. A network of secret "Conductors" and safe houses for fugitive slaves. Here, African-American abolitionist David Ruggles kept a reading room and operated a printing press where he published anti-slavery material, including "Mirror of Liberty," an abolitionist newspaper. The site also served as headquarters of the New York Vigilance Committee, on of the Nation's most active anti-slavery campaigns, which aided more than 1,000 freedom-seeking man, women and children.
On September 3, 1838, human-rights activist Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in Maryland by disguising himself as a sailor and traveling North by carriage, train and boat. A few days later he arrived at 36 Lispenard Street, then a small brick building and a "Station" on the Underground Railroad. A network of secret "Conductors" and safe houses for fugitive slaves. Here, African-American abolitionist David Ruggles kept a reading room and operated a printing press where he published anti-slavery material, including "Mirror of Liberty," an abolitionist newspaper. The site also served as headquarters of the New York Vigilance Committee, on of the Nation's most active anti-slavery campaigns, which aided more than 1,000 freedom-seeking man, women and children.
Erected 2006 by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.
Location. 40° 43.2′ N, 74° 0.2′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Tribeca. Marker is on 36 Lispenard Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fluxhouse (about 400 feet away, measured in a
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2010, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,546 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2010, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
