Downtown in Portland in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Hack Stand of Reuben Ruby
Portland Freedom Trail
The hack stand of Reuben Ruby, corner of Temple and Federal Streets. Ruby (1798-1878) was Portland's foremost African American Anti-Slavery activist and underground railroad conductor.
In 1826, Ruby helped publish a protest in the newspaper against the treatment of "some six hundred African Americans" in the white houses of worship in Portland. In 1832 he escorted William Lloyd Garrison around Portland in one of his carriages, introducing him to twenty-one Black anti-slavery activists, and hosting him at the Abyssinian Church, which Ruby helped to found and finance.
Erected 2007 by Maine Freedom Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Churches & Religion • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Maine, Portland Freedom Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 43° 39.476′ N, 70° 15.442′ W. Marker is in Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Federal Street and Temple Street, on the left when traveling north on Federal Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 Federal St, Portland ME 04101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Elm Theater Mask (within shouting distance of this marker); First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist (within shouting distance of this marker); Asa Clapp / Asa William Henry Clapp / Mary Jane Emerson Clapp (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Press Herald Building (about 400 feet away); Portland Maine World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away); Portland Maine Spanish War / World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away); Portland Maine World War I Marker (about 500 feet away); Portland Maine Korea and Vietnam Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 708 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.