Before the Civil War, slavery was legal in the southern United States. Many enslaved people dreamed of escaping to freedom in the North, where slavery was not allowed. The journey was incredibly dangerous - if caught, enslaved people faced severe punishment or even death. Despite these risks, thousands made the brave decision to flee.
The Underground Railroad was not actually a railroad. It was a secret network of people who helped enslaved individuals escape to freedom. "Conductors" were the brave people who guided escapees along the route. "Stations" were safe houses where travelers could hide during the day and rest before continuing their journey at night. Secret codes and signals helped everyone stay safe.
Harriet Tubman was the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad. Born into slavery, she escaped to freedom in 1849. But Tubman didn't stay in the safety of the North. Instead, she returned to the South nineteen times, risking her own freedom to guide more than 300 people to safety. She often traveled in winter when longer nights provided more cover. Tubman used signals like certain songs or patterns of knocks to communicate with those she was helping.
The journey north could take weeks or even months. Travelers often walked 10-20 miles per night, hiding in barns, attics, and secret rooms during the day. They followed the North Star to stay on course. Many traveled with nothing but the clothes on their backs and hope in their hearts. The Underground Railroad continued operating until the end of the Civil War in 1865, when slavery was finally abolished throughout the United States.