Marksville in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Solomon Northup, "Twelve Years a Slave"

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 28, 2018

1. Solomon Northup, "Twelve Years a Slave" Marker

Inscription. Solomon Northup, a free man of color from New York, was lured to Washington, D.C. in 1841 and kidnapped into slavery. Brought to New Orleans, he was sold to spend 12 years as a slave in Central Louisiana arriving on the Red River in Alexandria. After 2 years in Rapides, he was then sold to Edwin Epps, a small planter, on Bayou Boeuf in Avoyelles near present Bunkie area, where he labored as a slave for 10 years. Sam Bass, an itinerant carpenter and native of Canada, who came to work at the Epps place, helped to send a letter to New York about his whereabouts. In December 1852, Attorney Henry Northup of New York came to free Northup with the help of the Avoyelles Sheriff. In January 1853, he was released with the help of Marksville Attorney John Waddill and Judge Ralph Cushman in the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse. Northup then left Marksville via the Red River eventually returning to New York where he wrote his famous slave narrative, "Twelve Years a Slave."

Erected by Avoyelles Commission of Tourism.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture

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• Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.

Location. 31° 7.649′ N, 92° 3.951′ W. Marker is in Marksville, Louisiana, in Avoyelles Parish. It is on North Main Street (State Highway 115) north of Mark Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312 North Main Street, Marksville LA 71351, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Louisiana

and in Acadiana — Cajun Country.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

Acadia,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Founding Of Marksville (here, next to this marker); Laborde Building (a few steps from this marker); The First Bowie Knife (a few steps from this

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 28, 2018

2. Solomon Northup, "Twelve Years a Slave" Marker

marker); Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort De Russy (within shouting distance of this marker); Bailey Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Horace Ducote Law Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Mayer Hotel Site (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marksville.

More about this marker. Located in front of the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 2,034 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2018.