The Underground Railroad in the Adirondack Region

Focusing on the contributions of the Adirondack region to the accomplishments of the Underground Railroad, this work draws on more than 10 years of extensive research to take what in northern New York was considered "legend" and turn it into history.

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The story of the Underground Railroad is one of national significance and its success depended on the participation of hundreds of areas throughout the country that operated in unique and independent ways. Each area was distinctive in its geographic location and landscape as well as its societal framework. This work focuses on the contributions of the Adirondack region to the accomplishments of the Underground Railroad. Using what he discovered in more than 10 years of extensive research, Tom Calarco has been able to take, what in northern New York, for years has been considered "legend" and transform it into history. The author utilized abolitionist newspapers such as Friend of Man, Liberator, Pennsylvania Freeman, Emancipator, National Anti-Slavery Standard, and the little known Albany Patriot, that were published weekly from 1841-1848. Combining facts from these published accounts with details uncovered while searching local archives, conferring with community, and collecting unpublished legends, a clear picture emerged of Abolition as a hotly contested, combustible issue in this area commencing in the mid-1830s.
With extensive maps, photographs and appendices, key contributors to the cause are identified, abolition meetings and conventions described, maps of the Underground Railroad stations by county provided and the story of blacks and whites working together for justice and righteousness told.