Milton Township near Berlin Heights in Jackson County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Crossroads To Freedom
| | Historic Underground Railroad Site | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
1. Crossroads To Freedom Marker
The Underground Railroad was neither underground nor a railroad, but a system of loosely connected safe havens (called stations) where those escaping the brutal conditions of slavery (known as passengers) were sheltered, fed, clothed, and concealed on their journey to freedom. Those aiding these freedom seekers were known as conductors. Germans were the first to settle here in the early 1800s and named the area Berlin. It was Thomas Woodson who arrived here with his family in 1829 who began the dangerous work of the underground railroad. He was the firstborn son of Sally Hemings, a slave on the Thomas Jefferson plantation in Virginia. Jefferson was allegedly his father. During the Berlin UGRR years, Thomas Woodson's sons Thomas Jr. and John were killed by slave bounty hunters for their involvement.
At Berlin Crossroads, Ohio some of the Underground Railroad conductors were (1829-1865):
Thomas Woodson, Sr. Rev. Thomas Woodson, Jr. Rev. John Woodson James Woodson Edward Woodson William Woodson George Woodson Samuel G. Montgomery Benjamin Wilson, Jr.
John Wilson Rev. Noah Nookes George Nookes
this page online
Thomas Dyer Rufus Braley James Cassels John Cassels Asa Isham Gabe Johnson James Dicher Lewis Leach
Freedom seeking passengers were transported to Wilkesville (Vinton County) then Albany (Athens County) and northwest to Richmondale in Ross County. Berlin became a significant safe station on the road to freedom.
Erected by Berlin X Roads and Wellston Communities; The Friends of Freedom Society; Ohio Underground Railroad Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.
Location. 39° 4.851′ N, 82° 32.293′ W. Marker is near Berlin Heights, Ohio, in Jackson County. It is in Milton Township. It is at the intersection of Ohio Route 327 and Fairgreens Road, on the right when traveling south on Ohio Route 327. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6791 State Route 327, Wellston OH 45692, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
2. Crossroads To Freedom Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Berlin Heights Battlefield (here, next to this marker); Berlin Crossroads (here, next to this marker); In Memory of the Unknown Confederate Soldiers (approx. 1.9 miles away); Civil War (approx. 4.6 miles away); a different marker also named Hanging Rock Region (approx. 4.6 miles away); Buckeye Furnace (1851 - 1894) (approx. 4.6 miles away); Buckeye Furnace Covered Bridge (approx. 4.6 miles away); Casting (approx. 4.7 miles away).
Other markers no longer nearby. Hanging Rock Region (was approx. 4.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Buckeye Furnace (was approx. 4.6 miles away but has
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
3. Crossroads To Freedom Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
