Northside in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Underground Railroad
Rev. Guy Beckley House, 1425 Pontiac Trail, Photo 1930s
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, December 27, 2024
1. The Underground Railroad Marker
Rev. Guy Beckley was a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, even though it was a federal crime to help escaping slaves. His house nearby on Pontiac Trail was one of several secret "stations" in the area. Caroline Quarlls, who escaped from slavery, stayed with Beckley on her journey to freedom in Canada. Michigan's Anti-Slavery Society was established in Ann Arbor in 1836. Starting in 1841, its newspaper, The Signal of Liberty, which called for the abolition of slavery in the United States, was published in the Huron Block, directly across Broadway from here, by Beckley and his co-editor Theodore Foster. Beckley died in 1847.
[Caption:]
African Americans had settle in the Ann Arbor area long before the Civil War. Thomas Freeman, a barber, and J. W. Brooks, a drayman, minister, and former slave, were delegates to the 1843 state convention of colored citizens of Michigan. It demanded better jobs, education, and the right to vote. Ann Arbor Schools were integrated. This photo (ca. 1880) shows students at the Fifth Ward School, built in 1855 on the south side of Wall Street.
Erected by Carol and Robert Mull.
Topics.
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Location. 42° 17.351′ N, 83° 44.373′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Northside. It is at the intersection of Broadway Street and Swift Street, on the left when traveling north on Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Broadway Street, Ann Arbor MI 48105, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Clairvoyant Physician (a few steps from this marker); The Center of Power And Transportation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lower Town's Flour Mills
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, December 27, 2024
2. The Underground Railroad Marker
Also see . . . Guy Beckley. Excerpt:
Beckley was married twice. On June 8, 1830, he was married to Caroline Walker in Springfield, Vermont. She was the daughter of Philenia Spencer and John Walker. The Beckleys had six children together and Caroline died in 1839. In 1839 or 1840, he moved with his wife Phyla and eight children from Vermont to Ann Arbor, Michigan,(Submitted on May 3, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Beckley died at his house in Ann Arbor on December 26, 1847, at which time his oldest child was 15. His wife Phyla died three years later.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, December 27, 2024
3. The Underground Railroad Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
