Riverfront in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Underground Railroad

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 30, 2021

1. The Underground Railroad Marker

Inscription. Thomas Garrett, John Hunn, Ezekial Jenkins, Samual D. Burris, and many other Delawareans were prominent abolitionists of pre-Civil War days. Their activities with Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave from Dorchester County, Maryland, frequently referred to as the "Moses of her people" were indeed of monumental importance to both the First State and the United States of America. At the home of Thomas Garrett, 227 Shipley Street, Wilmington Delaware, more than 2,700 slaves received financial assistance, direction, and moral encouragement in their plight from bondage to freedom. No other point along the entire underground network handled as much human traffic as did the Garrett House. For many fugitive slaves enroute to Philadelphia and other points north, the City of Wilmington became known as "a last stop before freedom."

Erected 1976 by The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, Wilmington Branch.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans.

Location. 39° 44.19′ N, 75° 33.119′ W.

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Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Riverfront. It is on Rosa Parks Drive just west of French Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 French St, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (here, next to this marker); The Great Railroad Boom (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank Furness Railroad District (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Great Railroad Boom (within shouting

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 30, 2021

2. The Underground Railroad Marker

distance of this marker); The Big Quarterly (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Garrett (within shouting distance of this marker); Harriet Tubman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Big Quarterly (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 387 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.