A Memorial To William Copeland

Historical marker location:

Rapid City, Michigan

( Marker is on Valley Road Northwest, on the right when traveling north.)

Marker installed: 1951

Michigan played a key role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to freedom in the 19th century. Detroit was an important hub for the movement, and Michigan was the first state in the Northwest Territory to outlaw slavery in 1837.