Franklin Square Historic District

Historical marker location:

400 E Walnut St, Bloomington, Illinois

( Marker is at the intersection of East Walnut Street and North Park Street, on the right when traveling east on East Walnut Street.)

Marker installed: 1989

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.