Cycling through Underground Railroad History in Lorain County

"If I am dying for Freedom, I could not die for a better cause, I had rather die than be a slave."
-John Copeland

Lorain County proudly served as one of the final stops along the Underground Railroad. Slaves traveling to Canada often passed through this area until about 1861, following Frederick Douglass's advice to follow the North Star to freedom in Canada. Lorain County provided a direct route to Lake Erie as northern Lorain County borders Lake Erie's central basin. Some found the area so safe, they lived out their lives here. Oberlin is also honored to be known as one of the nation's most pioneering communities in equality and integration. Oberlin has been called "the town that started the Civil War" due to it's role in the fight for civil rights. Oberlin and Wellington were the sites of a famous slave rescue in 1858 that was said to have raised consciousness nationwide regarding the anti-slavery movement.

Lorain County's Underground Railroad history can be explored along the Back Roads and Beaches tour. Much of the Back Roads and Beaches Tour is part of Adventure Cycling Association's Underground Railroad Cycling tour that travels from Alabama to Canada. Cyclists completing the Adventure Cycling tour might want to spend some extra time here and explore our historical and cultural offerings.

Points of interest beginning in the southern end of the tour, near Findley State Park:

25600 SR58 (Huntington) Rev. Ansel Clarke Home. Not open to the public. Former home of abolitionist and Congregational Minister Ansel Clarke. Home is thought to have harbored fugitive slaves.

Oberlin College (Oberlin) Students and faculty were especially active in the Oberlin Anti-Slavery Society, others took part in the rescue and harbor of fugitive slaves. In 1835 the College trustees agreed blacks should be admitted to the College. Oberlin College was the first college to admit black women. Mary Jane Patterson, the first black woman in the world to receive a college degree (in 1862) attended Oberlin College.

181 E. Lorain St. (Oberlin) Station #99. Bardwell House. Not open to the public. Former home of missionary and abolitionist Rev. John Bardwell. Fugitive slaves hid under the eaves of the house where sliding panels opened into dark passageways.

First Church in Oberlin: Corner of Main and Lorain Sts. Built in 1842. The First Church was the meeting site for the Oberlin Anti-Slavery society and the site of the funeral for Lee Howard Dobbins, the four-year old fugitive slave buried in Oberlin.

Westwood Cemetery (Oberlin) Morgan St. Here lie former slaves, famous abolitionists and many who have become known as Oberlin's faces of change. Walking tour maps can be obtained by contacting the Lorain County Visitors Bureau.

Oberlin Heritage Center (Oberlin) 73 1/2 South Professor St. Oberlin has a powerful and nationally significant history that visitors can experience through guided tours at the Oberlin Heritage Center. Visitors will hear stories and see buildings associated with the founding of Oberlin, African-American history, the Underground Railroad, women's history, scientific discovery, and missionary, temperance, and other reform movements. Visitors will tour the 1836 Little Red Schoolhouse, the 1866 Monroe House, and the 1884 Jewett House.

Station 100, (Lorain) Said to be the mouth of the Black River and shores of Lake Erie. Many slaves departed here to freedom in Canada. New monument to escaping slaves erected in 2007 at Black River Landing, Lorain.

Upcoming Historical Events along the Back Roads and Beaches Route

The Lorain Port Authority presents A Taste of History along with the fourth annual Antique Show on the River presented by Black River Historical Society, August 18, 2007 at the Black River Landing. An all day event featuring music, shopping, food, boat rides, wine-tasting, and tall ship tours!

Walking Tours of Oberlin!
The Oberlin Heritage Center will be offering new guided walking tours of Oberlin, focusing on Oberlin's history through its architecture around Tappan Square. The tour will be offered three times this fall: Friday, September 14th at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 6th at 1:00 p.m., and Friday, October 12th, at 1:00 p.m. Enrollment is limited so reservations are required and may be made by calling (440) 774-1700 or by sending an email to tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org. There is a $6 per person fee ($4 for Oberlin Heritage Center members). The tours will be canceled and refunds will be made if it is raining at the start time. The tour starts at the Oberlin Heritage Center's Monroe House at 73 1/2 South Professor Street. The tour is also available by appointment for groups.

October 13 at Black River Historical Society, Valley Vagabonds are sponsoring a historical and beautiful architectural 10k or 5k walk. This walk will take you by interesting and scenic points in Lorain. The start is between 9 a.m. - 1p.m. finish by 4 p.m. In addition, the new President of the National Volkssport Association from Washington state will also be there to answer your questions on this international walking sport. Walk for free, credit, or award and credit. The award is a Linden leaf pin in our leaf series. The national website is www.ava.org and the club website is www.geocities.com/valleyvclv/. This walking sport is for the whole family since you do it at your own pace. If you have questions, please contact Deva Simon 440-572-1675.