Detroit Michigan became a well-known destination along the Underground Railroad, due in large part to its proximity to Canada. Slavery was outlawed in Canada in 1833 and many American slaves seeking freedom sought refuge in that country.

By the 1830s, Detroit had a well-established community of abolitionists including many members of Detroit’s Second Baptist Church, the first African American Church in Michigan. The church itself became a major stop along the Underground Railroad, hiding runaway slaves in the lower levels of the building. Prominent Detroit citizens, such as George DeBaptiste, acted as conductors for fleeing slaves, ferrying many across the Detroit River to nearby Windsor, Ontario.

To commemorate Detroit’s 300^th anniversary and its role in helping thousands of slaves reach freedom, Detroit 300, Inc. commissioned artist Ed Dwight to create two sculptures that would sit opposite each other on the banks of the American and Canadian sides of the Detroit River. Besides his recognition as a world-class sculptor, Ed Dwight was also served with distinction in the U.S. Air Force and was the very first African-American astronaut candidate.

The sculpture on the Detroit side of the river features two gateway pillars and sculptures of nine slaves and a railroad Conductor pointing toward Canada in anticipation to board the boat across the Detroit River to freedom.

The sculpture on the Canadian side of the river includes a twenty-two foot high granite tower representing the Internal Flame of Freedom, along with the figures of a male slave giving thanks, a female slave holding a baby, a small slave girl looking back toward America, and a female Canadian Underground Railroad conductor welcoming them all to freedom.  

The installation was completed in 2001 and serves as a physical reminder of Detroit’s role in operating the Underground Railroad and its part in assisting thousands of Africa-American slaves reach the shores of freedom.

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Detroit Michigan became a well-known destination along the Underground Railroad, due in large part to its proximity to Canada. Slavery was outlawed in Canada in 1833 and many American slaves seeking freedom sought refuge in that country.

By the 1830s, Detroit had a well-established community of abolitionists including many members of Detroit’s Second Baptist Church, the first African American Church in Michigan. The church itself became a major stop along the Underground Railroad, hiding runaway slaves in the lower levels of the building. Prominent Detroit citizens, such as George DeBaptiste, acted as conductors for fleeing slaves, ferrying many across the Detroit River to nearby Windsor, Ontario.

To commemorate Detroit’s 300^th anniversary and its role in helping thousands of slaves reach freedom, Detroit 300, Inc. commissioned artist Ed Dwight to create two sculptures that would sit opposite each other on the banks of the American and Canadian sides of the Detroit River. Besides his recognition as a world-class sculptor, Ed Dwight was also served with distinction in the U.S. Air Force and was the very first African-American astronaut candidate.

The sculpture on the Detroit side of the river features two gateway pillars and sculptures of nine slaves and a railroad Conductor pointing toward Canada in anticipation to board the boat across the Detroit River to freedom.

The sculpture on the Canadian side of the river includes a twenty-two foot high granite tower representing the Internal Flame of Freedom, along with the figures of a male slave giving thanks, a female slave holding a baby, a small slave girl looking back toward America, and a female Canadian Underground Railroad conductor welcoming them all to freedom.  

The installation was completed in 2001 and serves as a physical reminder of Detroit’s role in operating the Underground Railroad and its part in assisting thousands of Africa-American slaves reach the shores of freedom.