John Wellborn Root

Historical marker location:

1310 North Astor Street, Chicago, Illinois

( Marker is on North Astor Street, on the left.)

Marker installed: 2002

Chicago Tribute.

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.