Station Map of Underground Railroad
Stations in New York State
Do you notice any patterns with the locations of the underground
railroad stations? Is there a connection with 19th century transportation
pathways? What is the connection with water? What is the probable reason
for the lack of stations in the Catskills and the Adirondacks?
Now consider yourself a "travel guide" on the UGRR.
• If you lived in New York City, where would you send the freedom seeker next? What would be the best mode of transportation?
• If you were the stationmaster in Jamestown (southwestern NY), how would you get a fugitive family safely to Canada? Where would the best crossing point be?
• If you lived in one of the lake towns (Erie or Ontario), would water be a good way to get the freedom seekers to safety?
• If the freedom seekers came up the Susquehanna Valley in central Pennsylvania, where would they go next?
All these questions are geographic as well as historic. If you want to see some lessons about the Geography of the Underground Railroad in New York State, click here.
Now consider yourself a "travel guide" on the UGRR.
• If you lived in New York City, where would you send the freedom seeker next? What would be the best mode of transportation?
• If you were the stationmaster in Jamestown (southwestern NY), how would you get a fugitive family safely to Canada? Where would the best crossing point be?
• If you lived in one of the lake towns (Erie or Ontario), would water be a good way to get the freedom seekers to safety?
• If the freedom seekers came up the Susquehanna Valley in central Pennsylvania, where would they go next?
All these questions are geographic as well as historic. If you want to see some lessons about the Geography of the Underground Railroad in New York State, click here.