Hardin County and the Underground Railroad When we think about the Underground Railroad, a couple things come to mind. We think about slaves escaping their masters and heading north to freedom and we think of people such as Harriet Tubman who helped those slaves come north. We've heard stories about secret codes that were used to let conductors and slaves alike know if it was safe to come to a certain homestead. Such codes included leaving a candle burning on a window or hanging a certain quilt on a clothes line. But did you know that Hardin County was a stop? In doing some research, I've found that Hardin County and its citizens had an active role in helping escaped slaves reach freedom. One of the stops on the railroad was the home of Obadiah and Sarah Williams. The Williams family lived about 1 ½ miles south of Mt. Victory. It was felt that this area was closer to the Old Sandusky Trail, a busy route on the railroad. When he was a teenager, Obadiah saw first hand the cruelty of slavery is a trip to Cincinnati. He saw families ripped apart and sold to different owners. He vowed to do what he could to help slaves become free. His wife Sarah also felt it was important to do what she could to help, her parents having been conductors on the Underground Railroad when she was a child. To ensure their safety, and the safety of their children, the Williams' referred to anyone traveling on the railroad as “guests”. This allowed them to protect runaway slaves from federal authorities and bounty hunters without lying. A guest room was located within the Williams' home and this is where escaping slaves would stay. Another stop on the Underground Railroad was Wheeler Tavern located near Pfieffer Station. The tavern was built by Portius Wheeler who was an early pioneer of Hardin County. Built in 1835, historical tradition says that it was the first brick residence built in Hardin County. It is also a long standing belief that this building was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Because the Underground Railroad was a secret network, we will never know how many people were involved. Historical records to tell us that Kenton was a stop of the network and as well as the two places mentioned above. If you have a home or know of one that was part of the network, we would love to hear about it at the museum. By sharing information, we can preserve our history. Historically yours, Sheena Striker Assistant Director Hardin County Historical Museums 223 N Main Street, Kenton, OH 43326 419-673-7147 sheena@hardinmuseums.org