Downtown in Greensboro in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Underground Railroad
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, August 20, 2013
1. The Underground Railroad Marker
Inscription.
The Underground Railroad was a system of trustworthy people and marked routes used by African, Americans to escape from slavery. Thousands of men, women and children guided by "conductors" traveled on foot or in special vehicles along this network of hiding places or "stations." In 1819 John Dimery became the first known passenger to use the route which linked Greensboro to Indiana, and his escape was arranged by a Quaker. Vestal Coffin. Guilford County Quakers had opposed slavery for decades, and many were active in this movement, which placed human rights above property rights. Levi Coffin, who was born at New Garden (Guilford College) in 1789 and moved to Indiana in 1826. also worked for the "railroad" and is identified as its "president." The woods near the New Garden Friends Meetinghouse and Boarding School were known as a railroad station, as were Richard Mendenhall's Inn at Jamestown and Joshua Stanley's house at Centre. Little was written about the Underground Railroad at the time, but the Reminiscences of Levi Coffin describe how the "baggage" or fugitives were handled and the way to freedom was marked.
The Underground Railroad was a system of trustworthy people and marked routes used by African—Americans to escape from slavery. Thousands of men, women and children guided by "conductors" traveled on foot or in special vehicles along this network of hiding places or "stations." In 1819 John Dimery became the first known passenger to use the route which linked Greensboro to Indiana, and his escape was arranged by a Quaker. Vestal Coffin. Guilford County Quakers had opposed slavery for decades, and many were active in this movement, which placed human rights above property rights. Levi Coffin, who was born at New Garden (Guilford College) in 1789 and moved to Indiana in 1826. also worked for the "railroad" and is identified as its "president." The woods near the New Garden Friends Meetinghouse and Boarding School were known as a railroad station, as were Richard Mendenhall's Inn at Jamestown and Joshua Stanley's house at Centre. Little was written about the Underground Railroad at the time, but the Reminiscences of Levi Coffin describe how the "baggage" or fugitives were handled and the way to freedom was marked.
Topics and series.
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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.
Location. 36° 4.292′ N, 79° 47.424′ W. Marker is in Greensboro, North Carolina, in Guilford County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of West February 1 Place and South Elm Street on West February 1 Place. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greensboro NC 27401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont and specifically in Piedmont Triad. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in 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: Henry Frye (here, next to this
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, August 20, 2013
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, August 20, 2013
3. The Underground Railroad Marker
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, August 20, 2013
4. The Underground Railroad Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,599 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
