Kentucky Fugitives to Canada
N 38° 15.422 W 085° 45.425
16S E 608744 N 4235064
Located in Louisville on Main at corner of 4th St.. This marker remembers Thornton and Lucie (also called Ruthy) Blackburn, two slaves who escaped to Canada and started the first taxi service in Upper Canada.
Waymark Code: WM2T84
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 12/17/2007
Views: 42
Marker reads:
Description: Thornton and Lucie (also called Ruthy) Blackburn were slaves in Louisville, 1830-31. Thornton was hired out to Wurts and Reinhard's store at 4th and Main. When Lucie was sold to Virgil McKnight, the two escaped by steamboat. They were claimed two years later in Detroit by owners. The couple was rescued in "The Blackburn Riots of 1833," Detroit's first racial riot.
(Reverse) Lucie and Thornton escaped to Canada. Two attempts to extradite them were refused. They moved to Toronto and began the first taxi service in Upper Canada while continuing to assist other fugitive slaves. Thornton died in 1890 and Lucie in 1895. Designated "Persons of National Historic Significance" by the Canadian Government. Presented by African American Heritage Foundation and the Ky. African American Heritage Commission.
Marker Name: Kentucky Fugitives to Canada
Marker Location: City
Type of Marker: Person
Marker Number (for official markers): 2072
Group(s) Responsible for placing Marker:
Presented by African American Heritage Foundation and the Ky. African American Heritage Commission
Kentucky Historical Society
Department of Highways
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