Lowell R. Bayles

Historical marker location:

106 W Washington St, Newton, Illinois

( Marker is on West Washington Street west of South Van Buren Street (Illinois Route 130), on the right when traveling west.)

January 24, 1900 December 5, 1931. World Famous Speed Pilot.

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.