Underground Railroad River Crossing
Historical marker location:Late 18th century: The Underground Railroad begins to emerge as a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans seeking freedom in the northern states or Canada.
1793: The Fugitive Slave Act is passed in the United States, which allows slaveholders to pursue escaped slaves even in free states. This leads to an increase in the number of fugitive slaves seeking refuge through the Underground Railroad.
1810s-1830s: The Underground Railroad grows in prominence and expands its reach. Conductors, individuals who guided fugitive slaves on their journeys, play a vital role in organizing and aiding escape routes.
1831: The publication of "The Liberator," an abolitionist newspaper edited by William Lloyd Garrison, further brings attention to the cause of abolishing slavery and helps to increase support for the Underground Railroad.
1850: The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is passed, strengthening the legal rights of slaveholders and intensifying efforts to capture and return escaped slaves. This leads to increased activity on the Underground Railroad as a response.
1852: Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which exposes the cruelty of slavery and becomes a powerful catalyst for anti-slavery sentiment in the North and beyond.
1857: The Dred Scott Supreme Court decision rules that enslaved African Americans are not entitled to freedom, regardless of whether they are living in free or slave states. This further fuels the urgency and importance of the Underground Railroad as a means of escape.
1861-1865: The American Civil War takes place, providing a significant opportunity for enslaved individuals to escape to Union lines or areas where slavery has been abolished.
Late 1860s: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, formally abolishing slavery and marking the end of the Underground Railroad.
The Underground Railroad was a clandestine network that operated over several decades, and its history is marked by countless acts of bravery and defiance against the institution of slavery. While this timeline provides a glimpse into its development, it is important to recognize the ongoing efforts of countless individuals who risked their lives to help others attain freedom.
In the late 18th century, following the American Revolution, the region that is now Erie County became part of the newly formed United States. The area experienced significant growth and development in the early 19th century, with the construction of the Erie Canal, a transformative project connecting the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, passing through the county. This led to the expansion of trade and commerce and attracted settlers from various parts of the country.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Erie County continued to thrive, becoming a center for industry and innovation. Buffalo, the county's largest city and the second-largest city in New York, played a crucial role in the development of transportation and manufacturing. It was a major hub for the Great Lakes shipping industry and became known as the "Queen City of the Great Lakes." The county also saw advancements in education and culture, with the establishment of schools, libraries, and cultural institutions.
In recent decades, Erie County has faced economic challenges due to deindustrialization and changes in the global economy. However, efforts have been made to diversify the economy and promote revitalization. Today, the county is known for its natural beauty, with attractions such as Niagara Falls and the Buffalo waterfront. It is also home to a vibrant arts and cultural scene, as well as several universities and research institutions. Erie County continues to evolve, embracing its rich history while looking towards a promising future.
Erie County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Erie County, New York.
- 1679 - French explorer Robert de La Salle claims the area for France
- 1758 - British forces capture the area during the French and Indian War
- 1784 - The Sullivan Expedition destroys Native American villages in the area
- 1800 - The Holland Land Company purchases the land from the Seneca Nation
- 1810 - Buffalo becomes the first town in Erie County
- 1812-1814 - Erie County sees battles during the War of 1812
- 1821 - Erie County is officially established
- 1825 - Completion of the Erie Canal boosts the county's economy
- 1848 - Construction of the Buffalo and New York City Railroad begins
- 1851 - Buffalo's population exceeds 42,000 people
- 1872 - The Buffalo Zoo opens, becoming the third oldest zoo in the country
- 1884 - Construction of the Erie County Hall is completed
- 1901 - President William McKinley is assassinated in Buffalo
- 1938 - The opening of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport
- 1956 - Construction of the Niagara Thruway is completed
- 1964-1965 - Buffalo hosts the World's Fair, known as Expo '64
- 1970 - The construction of the Buffalo Metro Rail system begins
- 1984 - The Buffalo Bills reach their first Super Bowl
- 2006 - The implementation of the Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeeper organization