Springboro Area Underground Railroad
Historic Underground Railroad Site
A predominantly Quaker community in its early days, Springboro served as a hospitable thoroughfare for many runaway slaves on their way north to freedom. Between 1815 and 1864, Springboro was host to numerous safe-houses and many agents and conductors operating within the village and the surrounding township. Two factors contributed to Springboro's role as a pathway to the Underground Railroad. One was the antislavery sympathies of its residents. Secondly, situated between the Great and Little Miami Rivers and just two nights run north of the Ohio River, Springboro was in the middle of two corridors of flight. Enriching the antislavery sentiments of the local community was Achilles Pugh, who for many years published a famous national abolitionist paper, “The Philanthropist,” in Springboro. Despite constant scrutiny and harassment from bounty hunters and law officers, no runaways were ever captured or returned while under the protection of the Springboro area.
Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Ohio Route 741) and North Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
