William L. King Building

Historical marker location:

501 Hampshire Street, Quincy, Illinois

( Marker is at the intersection of 5th Street and Hampshire Street, on the right when traveling north on 5th Street.)

Marker installed: 2004

1872.

The state of Illinois played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to freedom in the 19th century. Many abolitionists in Illinois provided safe houses for escaping slaves, and Chicago was a key hub on the Underground Railroad.