New Milford in Western Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
History of the Underground Railroad
"A Rough Road to Freedom"
| | Ray Crawford | |
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of slaves.
In the middle of the 1800's, the Underground Railroad was organized with a true commitment to freedom.
New Milford, Connecticut was a road to freedom used to escape into Canada.
In 1865 the Civil War ends, and also the Underground Railroad.
The 13th Amendment was added to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery permanently.
Erected 2012.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Abolition & Underground RR. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 41° 34.836′ N, 73° 24.728′ W. Marker is in New Milford in Western Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Elm Street and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Elm Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 46 Main Street, New Milford CT 06776, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. 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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "A Rough Road to Freedom" (here, next to this marker); Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument (here, next to this marker); Lincoln Herm (a few steps from this marker); New Milford (within shouting distance of this marker); Knapp House
this page online
Also see . . . The Part of History You've Always Skipped | Neoslavery. This video from Knowing Better is well-sourced and describes how debt slavery survived into the twentieth century. (Submitted on August 8, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Inaccuracy in the marker
While the 13th amendment is generally considered the end of legal chattel slavery in the United States, the system of legal debt slavery existed in the American South until the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration.
— Submitted August 8, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 666 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
