Historical Marker
Central High School
Historical marker location:
421 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan
( Marker is on Fountain Street NE.)
Marker installed: 1999
Michigan played a key role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to freedom in the 19th century. Detroit was an important hub for the movement, and Michigan was the first state in the Northwest Territory to outlaw slavery in 1837.