Downtown Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Gateway to Freedom
Ed Dwight - Sculptor
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010
1. The Gateway to Freedom Marker
This panel is part of the pedestal of the International Underground Railroad Monument.
Inscription.
The Gateway to Freedom. Ed Dwight - Sculptor. Until Emancipation, Detroit and the Detroit River community served as the gateway to freedom for thousands of African American people escaping enslavement. Detroit was one of the largest terminals of the Underground Railroad, a network of abolitionists aiding enslaved people seeking freedom. Detroit's Underground Railroad code name was Midnight. At first, Michigan was a destination for freedom seekers, but Canada became a safer sanctuary after slavery was abolished there in 1834. With passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, many runaways left their homes in Detroit and crossed the river to Canada to remain free. Some returned after Emancipation in 1863., The successful operation of Detroit's Underground Railroad was due to the effort and cooperation of diverse groups of people, including people of African descent, Whites, and North American Indians. This legacy of freedom is a vital part of Detroit and its history.
Until Emancipation, Detroit and the Detroit River community served as the gateway to freedom for thousands of African American people escaping enslavement. Detroit was one of the largest terminals of the Underground Railroad, a network of abolitionists aiding enslaved people seeking freedom. Detroit's Underground Railroad code name was Midnight. At first, Michigan was a destination for freedom seekers, but Canada became a safer sanctuary after slavery was abolished there in 1834. With passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, many runaways left their homes in Detroit and crossed the river to Canada to remain free. Some returned after Emancipation in 1863.
The successful operation of Detroit's Underground Railroad was due to the effort and cooperation of diverse groups of people, including people of African descent, Whites, and North American Indians. This legacy of freedom is a vital part of Detroit and its history.
Location. 42° 19.584′ N, 83° 2.637′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. Marker can be reached from West Jefferson Avenue (State Highway 10) near Woodward Avenue (State
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Highway 1). The marker is on the Detroit RiverWalk at Hart Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Detroit MI 48226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This panel is part of the pedestal of the International Underground Railroad Monument.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010
5. Detroit Underground Railroad: Safe Houses & Sites in Detroit
This panel is part of the pedestal of the International Underground Railroad Monument.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010
6. Main Stops Along Michigan's Underground Railroad
This panel is part of the pedestal of the International Underground Railroad Monument.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,686 times since then and 245 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on July 23, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on October 27, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 23, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.