News Release

The Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project Presents: Hike the Freedom Trail

A view of the black-owned Marina on the North side of the Little Calumet River.

Larry McClellan

News Release Date: July 8, 2019

NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR THE NEXT "FREEDOM TRAIL HIKE," set for Saturday, July 20 from 10 am to 12 noon.

 

The Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project Presents

"Hike the Freedom Trail"

July 20 - 10 am to 12 noon

 

Join us for a fascinating tale of the hundreds- perhaps thousands- of escaped slaves / "Freedom Seekers" that came through this region prior to the Civil War, who often found refuge and replenishment from local abolitionists, one being the Jan Ton family who owned a farm near Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve on the Little Calumet River.

The focus of the Hike is educating the tour attendee about the Underground Railroad history in the Calumet region.

Professor Larry McClellan, foremost authority on the Underground Railroad in Northern Illinois, and Tom Shepherd of the Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project will be narrators for this Hike/tour.

The narrated tour & hike will depart from the Beaubien Woods boat launch and will last roughly 2 hours.

 

Roughly 134th at the Little Calumet River front (see map)

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Beaubien+Woods/@41.6500356,-87.58318,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x46ae63f2eac81bb9!8m2!3d41.6500356!4d-87.58318

 

 

Moderate walking, will be partially by bus. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

No cost for this event.

Must pre-register…… Limited seating! Call Tom Shepherd 773-370-3305 or email:

[e-mail]

An old photo of the Ton Farm buildings, seen from the Calemut River

Larry McClellan