What was the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes, safe houses, and individuals who aided enslaved African Americans in escaping from the southern United States to free states and Canada during the 19th century.

When did the Underground Railroad operate?

The Underground Railroad operated primarily from the late 18th century to the Civil War era, reaching its peak between 1830 and 1860.

Who were the key people involved in the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad involved a network of diverse individuals, including escaped slaves, free African Americans, white abolitionists, Quakers, and other sympathetic individuals who risked their lives to help enslaved people escape to freedom. Harriet Tubman is one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad.

How did the Underground Railroad work?

The Underground Railroad worked through a system of `stations` or safe houses where escaping slaves could find food, shelter, and assistance along their journey to freedom. Conductors, like Harriet Tubman, guided them from one station to another, using secret routes and codes to avoid capture.

Were there actual trains involved in the Underground Railroad?

No, the term `Underground Railroad` is a metaphorical one. It does not refer to an actual railroad system or trains but rather to the covert network of routes, safe houses, and assistance used to aid enslaved individuals in their escape.

Where did the Underground Railroad lead to?

The Underground Railroad had routes that led from the southern slave states, such as Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky, to the northern free states like Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. Some routes extended to Canada, where slavery was abolished.

How many slaves escaped through the Underground Railroad?

The exact number of enslaved individuals who escaped through the Underground Railroad is difficult to determine, as records were often kept secret to protect those involved. Estimates range from tens of thousands to possibly hundreds of thousands.

What were the dangers of using the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was a perilous journey for both the escaping slaves and those assisting them. Escaped slaves faced the risk of capture, physical harm, and separation from their families if caught. Those helping them faced legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment, if discovered.

Did the Underground Railroad contribute to the abolition of slavery?

While the Underground Railroad did not directly lead to the abolition of slavery, it played a crucial role in raising awareness about the cruelty and injustice of slavery. The stories of successful escapes and the bravery of those involved helped to fuel the abolitionist movement and promote the idea of emancipation.

Is there a physical Underground Railroad museum or site to visit?

Yes, there are several museums and historical sites dedicated to preserving the history of the Underground Railroad. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Church Creek, Maryland, are notable examples.

Historical Marker

Underground Railroad Site

Historical marker location:

125 George Street, New Richmond, Ohio

( Marker is on George Street, on the right when traveling south.)

Clermont Freedom Trail. Ross Gowdy House Museum

A brief timeline of the Underground Railroad

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.

Ohio is known as the "Mother of Presidents" because of its role in producing so many US presidents. In addition to the seven presidents who were born in Ohio, another president, William Henry Harrison, lived in Ohio for much of his life and is sometimes counted as an honorary Ohioan.

About Clermont County

Clermont County, Ohio, is located in the southwestern part of the state, along the banks of the Ohio River. The history of Clermont County dates back thousands of years to the region's Native American inhabitants. Various tribes, including the Shawnee and Miami, lived in the area before the arrival of European settlers.

In the late 18th century, European settlers began to establish permanent settlements in Clermont County. The area was first surveyed by Ebenezer Zane in 1786, and the first permanent settlement, called Losantiville, was founded in 1788. The name was later changed to Cincinnati, which is now a separate county.

As the population in Cincinnati grew, settlers began moving eastward into Clermont County. By the early 19th century, the county's population expanded, and more towns and villages were established. Batavia, the county seat, was founded in 1814.

Clermont County played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states or Canada. Many abolitionists in the county provided support and shelter to runaway slaves, helping them on their journey to freedom. The county's proximity to the Ohio River made it an ideal location for escaping slaves crossing into the free state of Ohio.

Overall, Clermont County's history is shaped by its Native American roots, early European settlement, and its involvement in the Underground Railroad. Today, the county continues to thrive as a vibrant community with a rich history and a diverse population.

Clermont County Timeline

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Clermont County, Ohio.

December 6, 1800 - Clermont County is founded and established as the eighth county of the Northwest Territory.
1801 - Batavia becomes the county seat of Clermont County.
1811 - William Lytle establishes a village that eventually becomes the city of Milford.
1823 - The village of New Richmond is incorporated.
1824 - Clermont County's first courthouse is constructed in Batavia.
1835 - The village of Owensville is established.
1843 - The village of Williamsburg is incorporated.
1847 - The village of Moscow is incorporated.
1854 - The village of Amelia is incorporated.
1868 - The first train arrives in Batavia, connecting the county to the national rail network.
1873 - The village of Felicity is incorporated.
1886 - The village of Goshen is incorporated.
1891 - The village of Newtonsville is incorporated.
1937 - The Union Township Civic Center, housing the Union Township branch of the Clermont County Public Library, is dedicated.
1999 - The Union Township Veterans Memorial Park is officially dedicated.