[ckhthankgod]

I was wondering if anyone knew about any ugrr towns in Michigan? I've heard that Covert, Baldwin, Farmington and Belleville were. Are there any other though? Also, how are these towns I mentioned today? Are they diverse? What is the character of these communities?

[dutchinnd]

The other one I've read about is Battle Creek; I believe that there is a historical marker there to that effect.

[Bydand]

Can't say for the rest of the towns you mentioned, but I was in Baldwin yesterday. I live fairly close and grew up in this area so I am well acquainted with Baldwin. It is still a small community with a strong African American community. It tends to be a bit on the poorer side, but the downtown area of the village is very nice. As far back as I can remember it has been a nice downtown area compared to some of the outlying areas. Now the major focus of Baldwin is toward outdoor recreation in general; fishing the Pere Marquette River in particular. Travelers from all over the Country and even world travelers spend time each Summer and Fall in the Baldwin area for the fishing.

It is a very diverse little place for this area, and there seems to be little conflict there that is related to different races or cultures. Most of the problems are the same as any little rural community across America.

As for a part of the Underground Railroad, I haven't heard that before, but it does make sense it might have been promoted as a final destination along the way. It is a nice little place in a nice area with decent farming and natural attributes.

[MICoastieMom]

There is a house on Pontiac Trail in Ann Arbor that is reputed to have been part of the Underground Railroad. What surprises me is that since many crossings were made from Downriver into the Amhertsburg area into Ontario why there aren't any houses in Monroe or Downriver. At least, none to my knowledge.

[1eyedjack]

I grew up in Tecumseh and it was a part of the underground railroad. There is one house I remember that had a tunnel that went under M-50 to another house. As far as the diversity you can click on a city on city-data to find that out. Here is a link.
Michigan Underground Railroad

[KMSFLA]

I'm from Marshall. The house next to my uncle's house has a secret passage way under the stairs. I was told that it was used to hide slaves but I don't know if that's true or not. Marshall is a great town but it is not diverse.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Bellville has a large black population that, to me, seemed to be out of place with geographics of the land that's called Metro-Detroit. Now that you mentioned it being part of the underground railroad, it makes sense.

[mackinac81]

Schoolcraft is about ten miles south of Kalamazoo. There's a house right on 131 and U avenue that was on the Underground Railroad. Schoolcraft is still as small flat farming town, but quite nice.

[mkfarnam]

NOTE:"This is an exact transcription, with errors of grammar, syntax and spelling remaining intact." Names (and nick names) were NOT changed in order to preserve authenticity.

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN

[MICoastieMom]

mkfarnam, did I read this correctly? Jarvis Hurd was an abolishionist? Any more information on him?