Underground Railroad

Napoleon Indiana

The Underground Railroad had many routes consisting of secret routes and safe houses whereby slaves used to escape to not only the northern states, but Canada, Mexico, and the rest of the world as well. It has been estimated that at it's height between 1810 and 1850 as many as 100,000 people escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad figures prominently in African -American history and has captured the imagination as a symbol of freedom.

Having no real organization or central authority , it existed openly in the north and just beneath the surface in the south. By it slaves were mainly transported under cover of darkness from one location to another while hiding in safe houses during daylight hours. Thus the African-Americans would proceed north until freedom was reached.

There is much uncertainly as to where the term "underground railroad" originated,however both those who aided the slaves and those outraged by the loss of slave property , began referring to the term " underground railroad" by 1840.

One of many such stations located in southern Indiana , this property served as a stop over for many freed slaves heading north. Located in Napoleon Indiana, just 35 miles north of the the Ohio River, it became one of the first destinations after leaving the south. At that time this quaint little town was located at the cross roads of two major roads of the area and was an important  cog in the wheels of commerce in the early 1800's. Although most continued north , from this point they could proceed in any direction they chose, thus giving them the opportunity to elude slave hunters or anyone else who might want to cause them harm.

Underground Railroad Station Napoleon Indiana


Gary is a travel writer and photographer living in Sarasota, Florida. He maintains a website featuring some of his travel photos and markets a line of products featuring many of his photos.