John and Lena Hotz

Historical marker location:

923 S Main St, Marissa, Illinois

( Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street and John Hotz Street, on the left when traveling south on South Main Street.)

Marker installed: 1967

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.