Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad, an informal network of safe houses and people who helped fugitive slaves pass from slave states in the US to free states or to Canada. It has been the object of much mythmaking, for not nearly so many fugitives passed along it, nor were there nearly so many whites involved, as is generally said. Although most fugitive slaves remained in the free states of the American North, perhaps 30,000 reached Canada. The "railroad," in operation roughly 1840-60, was most effective after the passage of the US Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, which empowered slave hunters to pursue fugitives onto free soil. This Act resulted in several efforts to kidnap fugitives who were in Canada to return them to Southern owners.

See also SLAVERY.

Author ROBIN W. WINKS

Links to Other Sites
Historica-Dominion Institute
The website for the Historica-Dominion Institute, parent organization of The Canadian Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Check out their extensive online feature about the War of 1812, the "Heritage Minutes" video collection, and many other interactive resources concerning Canadian history, culture, and heritage.

Underground Railroad
Watch the Heritage Minute about the "underground railroad" from the Historica-Dominion Institute. See also related online learning resources.

Buxton Settlement National Historic Site of Canada
See a description of heritage characteristics of the Buxton Settlement National Historic Site of Canada, a stop on the Ontario portion of the Underground Railroad. Search this site for other locations on this historic route to freedom for ex-slaves from the US. From Parks Canada.

Archives of Ontario: Black History
A selection of archival documents that relate to Black history in Ontario. An Archives of Ontario website.

Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History
Solve some the "Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History." Learn about investigative techniques and Canadian history. From the University of Victoria.

Owen Sound's Black History
A great resource for information about the Black history of the Owen Sound region of Ontario. Find out about the Underground Railroad, “Songs of Freedom,” the “Underground Railroad Quilt Code,” and much more.

The Underground Railroad
Follow the flight to freedom along the Underground Railroad to Canada. This Canada’s Digital Collections web site focuses on St. Catharines and other locations in the Niagara Region. Also profiles noteworthy individuals such as Harriet Tubman. Wind your way through mazes and other fun games.

Black History Canada
An extensive Internet portal featuring links to online resources about the history and culture of the Black community in Canada. Topics include enslavement, early Black settlements, human rights, immigration, and prominent personalities and community leaders in business, government, religion, sports, the military, and the arts. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.

Africans
Learn about the many African Americans who established a new life in Canada after escaping enslavement in the United States. From Library and Archives Canada.

Underground Railroad Quilt Code
A fascinating guide to the “Underground Railroad Quilt Code.” From Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

North American Black Historical Museum
The website for the North American Black Historical Museum in Amherstburg, Ontario, a vital link of the legendary Underground Railroad.

Underground Railroad Music Festival
An information site for the Underground Railroad Music Festival in Drayton, Ontario.