Waverly in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Destination Freedom: Underground Railroad
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2026
1. Destination Freedom: Underground Railroad Marker
On March 1st, 1780, a historic moment unfolded as the Pennsylvania Assembly enacted the groundbreaking "An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery." This legislative stride marked the initiation of a transformative journey toward the eventual eradication of slavery in America. With the legal termination of human bondage in the state, Pennsylvania emerged as a symbol of optimism for countless enslaved individuals in the Southern regions.
In the wake of this emancipatory legislation, many of those once confined in chains seized the opportunity for liberty. Crossing the Mason-Dixon Line, they embarked on a perilous journey to freedom facilitated by the Underground Railroad-a clandestine network of individuals and locations committed to assisting the formerly enslaved. Defying federal laws, this network played a crucial role in guiding freedom seekers northward.
Waverly stood out as one of the sanctuaries where these courageous "fugitives" found solace, thanks to compassionate residents like Leonard Batchelor and Rodman Sisson. Among those seeking refuge was George Keys, the trailblazing freeperson
this page online
As the nation grappled with the challenges of the Civil War, Waverly's formerly enslaved and freeborn African American men, including George Keys and his son George Jr., took up arms in the U.S. Army. Their enlistment reflected a commitment to the noble cause of preserving the Union and contributing to the lasting abolition of slavery in America.
In a significant recognition of Waverly's historical importance, the Waverly Community House's Destination Freedom: Underground Railroad Walking Tour of Waverly earned a place on the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom in March 2022.
To schedule a Walking Tour with the Destination Freedom Program, please contact us at (570) 586-8191 or go to waverlycomm.org.
[QR Code] Download the app today and embark on an immersive adventure through time.
[Illustration and photo captions, left to right, read]
• [Map] Pennsylvania Underground Railroad Stations, Northeast Corridor, From William Switala's The Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania, Stackpole Books, 2001.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2026
2. Destination Freedom: Underground Railroad Marker
Waverly Community House in background
• [Map] "Underground" Routes to Canada showing lines of travel of fugitive slaves
• [Uncaptioned map showing routes to Philadelphia and north, including through Waverly PA]
Erected by Waverly Community House, Lackawanna Heritage Valley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is March 1, 1780.
Location. 41° 31.551′ N, 75° 42.345′ W. Marker is in Waverly, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. It is on North Abington Road (Pennsylvania Route 407) north of Church Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the Waverly Community House grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1115 North Abington Road, Waverly PA 18471, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Wyoming Valley and in Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Margaretta Elizabeth Belin (within shouting distance of this marker); Elder Miller (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hickory Grove Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Baptist Church Bell (approx. 2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Deacon William Clark (approx. 2 miles away); Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waverly.
Also see . . . Destination Freedom. (Submitted on October 30, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 30, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
