The Underground Railroad in Pike County
Historic Underground Railroad Site
An Elm Grove abolitionist maintained a lonely Underground Railroad station where he provided safety for escaping enslaved persons. These fugitives were attempting to travel the unfriendly route from Houston Hollow in Scioto County to safe places in Ross where other conductors helped them on their way to Canada.
At Straight Creek, Christopher Brown, a former slave, conducted runaways to Chillicothe. The Barnett and Muntz families, at the P.P. settlement in northwest Pike County hid fugitives then took them to the next safe place and a step closer to freedom.
Oral history states that someone at the Eager Inn that was located on a post road connecting Adams and Ross Counties, received information when runaways were on their way to that vicinity. The information was then given to the Muntz or Barnett families who prepared to receive the fugitives.
Other Pike County citizens who were actively involved in assisting the runaway slaves to freedom were the conductors at the Carrs Run and East Jackson settlements.
Marker is on U.S. 23, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
