Downtown Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Gateway to Freedom

Ed Dwight - Sculptor

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010

1. The Gateway to Freedom Marker

This panel is part of the pedestal of the International Underground Railroad Monument.

Inscription. Until Emancipation, Detroit and the Detroit River community served as the gateway to freedom for thousands of African American people escaping enslavement. Detroit was one of the largest terminals of the Underground Railroad, a network of abolitionists aiding enslaved people seeking freedom. Detroit's Underground Railroad code name was Midnight. At first, Michigan was a destination for freedom seekers, but Canada became a safer sanctuary after slavery was abolished there in 1834. With passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, many runaways left their homes in Detroit and crossed the river to Canada to remain free. Some returned after Emancipation in 1863.

The successful operation of Detroit's Underground Railroad was due to the effort and cooperation of diverse groups of people, including people of African descent, Whites, and North American Indians. This legacy of freedom is a vital part of Detroit and its history.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 42° 19.584′ N, 83° 2.637′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. It can be reached from West Jefferson Avenue (State Highway 10) near Woodward Avenue (State

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Highway 1). The marker is on the Detroit RiverWalk at Hart Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Detroit MI 48226, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

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 Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Detroit River Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Ford Motor Company (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cadillac Convoy / Le Convoi de Cadillac (within shouting distance of this marker); The Landing of Cadillac / Le débarquement de Cadillac (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans' Memorial Building (about 500 feet away); Monument to Joe Louis, 1986 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sainte Anne's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spirit of Detroit (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Also see . . . International Underground Railroad Monument. (Submitted on July 25, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 18, 2022

2. The Gateway to Freedom Marker

International Underground Railroad Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010

3. International Underground Railroad Monument

Underground Railroad: Routes to Detroit Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010

4. Underground Railroad: Routes to Detroit Area

This panel is part of the pedestal of the International Underground Railroad Monument.

Detroit Underground Railroad: Safe Houses & Sites in Detroit image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010

5. Detroit Underground Railroad: Safe Houses & Sites in Detroit

This panel is part of the pedestal of the International Underground Railroad Monument.

Main Stops Along Michigan's Underground Railroad image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010

6. Main Stops Along Michigan's Underground Railroad

This panel is part of the pedestal of the International Underground Railroad Monument.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 5,478 times since then and 173 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 23, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on October 27, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 23, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.