Chambersburg in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Underground Railroad Activity in Chambersburg

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, May 18, 2008

1. Underground Railroad Activity in Chambersburg Marker

Inscription. Throughout the pre-Civil War period, there were a number of Underground Railroad "stations" in this area, temporary places of refuge for former slaves escaping through the mountainous terrain to freedom in the North. One local Underground Railroad agent was a free black barber, Henry Watson, who assisted fugitive slaves as they passed through Chambersburg, helping to keep them safe and undetected by the slave-catchers and bounty hunters searching for them.

Erected 2002 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list.

Location. 39° 56.236′ N, 77° 39.694′ W. Marker is in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. It is on South Main Street (U.S. 11) south of Lincoln Way West (U.S. 30), on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the northeast corner of square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 S Main St, Chambersburg PA 17201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania. 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 walking distance of this marker: Confederate Conference (here, next to this marker); Flashpoint for Invasion

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(here, next to this marker); The Franklin County Community Foundation (FCCF) (a few steps from this marker); Memorial Fountain and Union Soldier Statue (a few steps from this marker); Union Soldiers of Franklin County (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II – Korean Conflict – Vietnam Conflict (within shouting distance of this marker); Mexican War – Spanish American War – World War (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chambersburg.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 24, 2024

2. Underground Railroad Activity in Chambersburg Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 7, 2010

3. Underground Railroad Activity in Chambersburg Marker

Markers in Chambersburg image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 7, 2010

4. Markers in Chambersburg

There are several markers in this vicinity. The Underground Railroad Activity marker is seen here in the center of the photo.

The Underground Railroad Interpretive Panel in the nearby Heritage Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, April 25, 2009

5. The Underground Railroad Interpretive Panel in the nearby Heritage Center

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,893 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 1, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on May 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.