Schoolcraft in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Underground Railroad House
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 17, 2013
1. Underground Railroad House Marker
This historic house was built in 1835 by Dr. Nathan Thomas, the first physician in Kalamazoo County. When asked in 1843 to assist escaping slaves from the south to reach Canada, he quickly agreed. Mrs. Thomas would provide food and arrange for them to sleep on the floor of the doctor's office. Fugitives would hide upstairs under the eaves if it was suspected bounty hunters were in the area. Dr. Thomas would arrange for them to travel after dark to Battle Creek and on to Canada. Dr. Thomas estimated that 1,000 to 1,500 fugitives passed through their station on the Underground Railroad.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Abolition & Underground RR. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 42° 6.973′ N, 85° 37.774′ W. Marker is in Schoolcraft, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is on E. Cass Street 0.1 miles east of Pearl Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 613 E Cass Street, Schoolcraft MI 49087, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan. It is also in the American
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Schoolcraft G.A.R. Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Vicksburg's First Mill (approx. 4.8 miles away); Vickers' Mill (approx. 4.9 miles away); Fanny M. Bair Library (approx. 4.9 miles away); Central Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.4 miles away); Hayloft Theatre (approx. 6.8 miles away); Portage District No. 8 School (approx. 6.8 miles away); Portage Grain Elevator / Feed Mill (approx. 6.9 miles away).
Also see . . . The Dr. Nathan Thomas Underground Railroad Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on May 10, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 17, 2013
2. Underground Railroad House Marker
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 17, 2013
3. Dr. Nathan Thomas House
Photographed by Duane Hall, September 17, 2013
4. National Register of Historic Places Plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,051 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 21, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
