University District in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Underground Railroad on University Land
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 31, 2008
1. Underground Railroad on University Land Marker #5
Inscription.
The Underground Railroad on University Land. . Along Lake Erie, Toledo, Sandusky, Cleveland, Fairport Harbor, and Ashtabula Harbor were major routes from slavery to freedom in Canada. Even though African Americans lived throughout the state, Ohio itself was not really safe. Slavery was sanctioned across the United States. Escapees and free African Americans alike were constantly threatened by re-capture or kidnapping. Ohio also had “Black Laws,” often used to prevent long-term settlement. Frequently, the goal of the Freedom Train was to help escapees through Ohio rather than to Ohio. Nevertheless, stationmasters aided thousands of escapees - a record about which Ohio and Ohio State can be proud.
Along Lake Erie, Toledo, Sandusky, Cleveland, Fairport Harbor, and Ashtabula Harbor were major routes from slavery to freedom in Canada. Even though African Americans lived throughout the state, Ohio itself was not really safe. Slavery was sanctioned across the United States. Escapees and free African Americans alike were constantly threatened by re-capture or kidnapping. Ohio also had “Black Laws,” often used to prevent long-term settlement. Frequently, the goal of the Freedom Train was to help escapees through Ohio rather than to Ohio. Nevertheless, stationmasters aided thousands of escapees - a record about which Ohio and Ohio State can be proud.
Erected 2006 by Ohio Staters, Inc. (Marker Number 5 of 5.)
Location. 39° 59.882′ N, 83° 0.59′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the University District. Marker is at the intersection of College Road and Hagerty Drive, on the left when traveling north on College Road. Marker is about 200 feet west of the Ohio Union, on The Ohio State University campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus OH 43210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 31, 2008
2. Underground Railroad on University Land Marker #5
Mendenhall Lab (yellow brick and red roof) and Hagerty Hall in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,494 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
