Morris Birkbeck

Historical marker location:

West Main Street, Albion, Illinois

( Marker is at the intersection of 50 West Main Street (Illinois Route 15) and North 4th Street (Illinois Route 130), on the right when traveling east on 50 West Main Street.)

Marker installed: 1929

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.