Charles W. Westover

Historical marker location:

363 Main St, Coopersville, Michigan

( Marker is on Main Street west of Ottawa Street, on the right when traveling west.)

Del Shannon. December 30, 1934-February 8, 1990.

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.