Waterside Promenade in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Underground Railroad

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 4, 2007

1. The Underground Railroad Marker

Inscription. After northern states began abolishing slavery during the Revolutionary era, fugitives from throughout southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina started to escape by ship from the Norfolk waterfront. With luck and determination, many succeeded in enlisting the aid of black crewmen working aboard northward-bound vessels. Two of the South’s most famous Underground Railroad fugitives, George Latimer and Shadrach Minkins, escaped from Norfolk, most likely by sea. A few ship captains were known by local Railroad agents as being sympathetic to fugitives or at least agreeable to transporting them secretly for a price. Captain William D. Bayliss of the Keziah and Captain Alfred Fountain of the City of Richmond bravely transported runaways from Norfolk during the 1850s when local sentiment against the Underground Railroad was at its highest. The City of Richmond docked at John Higgins’ wharf, east of the Berkley Bridge. Higgins was a former owner of Shadrach Minkins.

The City of Norfolk was placed on the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom in 2004.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans.

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In addition, it is included in the Network to Freedom, and the Virginia, Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 2004.

Location. 36° 50.623′ N, 76° 17.465′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Waterside Promenade. It can be reached from Waterside Drive. This marker sits on the dock at Waterside. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ferries to Portsmouth and Berkley (here, next to this marker); Elizabeth River (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bombardment of Norfolk, 1776 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Norfolk 1682 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Customhouse, 1859 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Commercial Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Four Farthing or Town Point (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

More about this marker. This marker is part of the Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022

2. The Underground Railroad Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,043 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on February 22, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on November 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.