New Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail includes Sandusky

SANDUSKY — Ohio recently created a new Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail, and one of the 15 stops is in Sandusky. The new trail was created to help history buffs appreciate Ohio's role in helping escaped slaves achieve freedom in Canada before the Civil War. It's discussed at length on a website, ohio.org/home/ugrrtrail, which also has a downloadable version of the trail's map. The 15 stops cover much of Ohio. Locally, the Sandusky stop is the Follett House Museum, operated by Sandusky Library. "The former home of Oran and Eliza Follett served as a shelter for freedom seekers," the state website explains. "Follett was the publisher of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and his wife, Eliza, hid enslaved people in their basement or woodshed as they made their way across Lake Erie to freedom." The entry for Sandusky on the state website also includes a link to the Underground Railroad Historic Walking Tour developed by the Erie County Historical Society. In addition, the: • Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center in downtown Sandusky offers a brochure and map for people who want to explore Sandusky's Underground Railroad heritage • Maritime Museum of Sandusky has an exhibit on the Underground Railroad. • Sandusky Library History Blog, sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com, published 16 posts found through the "Underground Railroad" tag Other stops on the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail include The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, the John Brown House in Akron and various other museums and historic locations in much of Ohio. Other northern Ohio locations include the Lathrop House in Sylvania and the Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum in Ashtabula. The 15 stops also feature the Harriett Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati. Stowe's novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a big bestseller book in the 19th century, features Sandusky as one of its settings. House Bill 340, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law in June last year, designates September as International Underground Railroad Month in Ohio. "It is important that we remember the legacy and impact of the Underground Railroad on this country as well as Ohio's prominent role in its operation," DeWine said. "We've created this new trail to show both visitors and Ohioans how to learn more about Ohio's history as an important connector on the Underground Railroad."