Deland Point: A Humanitarian Hub - Jackson, MI - Underground Railroad Sites on Waymarking.com

Underground Railroad Hub

The DeLand family's property was located on the northeast corner of Mechanic and Franklin streets from 1851 until 1878. Three family members participated in the Underground Railroad: William DeLand offered his family's home to freedom seekers, Mary DeLand fed guests, and their son, Charles DeLand, transported freedom seekers in a lumber wagon to the next stop. Their humanitarian efforts turned this intersection into an Underground Railroad hub.

Charles' memoires state that the family's home and barn "became a regular relay station on the underground railroad of those days.” Freedom seekers would arrive "in the night... were secreted during the day, and the next night forwarded to the next station. Many a weary night's ride fell to my lot, along the ... rough roads, across Leoni and Waterloo, to aid these... slaves on their way to freedom,” he wrote.

In adulthood, Charles DeLand became editor of the American Citizen newspaper and often published fiery editorials denouncing slavery as an "abomination.” He also served as a Union Colonel in the Civil War and was commended for bravery.

Address: 415 S Mechanic St. Jackson, MI USA 49201 Web site: [Web Link] Site Details: Free Open to the public?: Public Name of organization who placed the marker: Jackson County Michigan Historical Society

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