Underground Railroad Route: From Norfolk, Virginia to Buxton, Ontario

Journey Along the Underground Railroad: Virginia to Canada

World Footprints traces one of the most historic and courageous journeys in North America—the Underground Railroad route that carried enslaved people from bondage to freedom. This episode follows a trail that begins in Norfolk, Virginia and ends in Buxton, Ontario, with stops in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Lewiston, New York.

We explore the landscapes, landmarks, and legacies of those who resisted slavery and those who helped them. Along the way, we spotlight two unique destinations—Romania and the Falkland Islands—for listeners looking to connect travel with deeper stories of identity, struggle, and resilience.

Norfolk, Virginia: Last Southern Port on the Road to Freedom

Norfolk, Virginia, a 400-year-old port city and home to the world's largest naval base, played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad in Virginia. As one of the last southern port cities before freedom routes turned northward, Norfolk became a strategic departure point for enslaved African Americans seeking escape via maritime routes.

We speak with Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, professor and historian at Norfolk State University, who helped develop the Waterways to Freedom Tour. This self-guided walking tour reveals the hidden history of Black resistance in Norfolk, showcasing sites where dockworkers and sailors smuggled fugitives aboard ships headed north.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Where the Underground Railroad Ran Quietly

Gettysburg is often remembered for its Civil War battlefield, but it also played a vital role in the Underground Railroad network. Located in Adams County, a region with deep Quaker roots, Gettysburg became a key passage point for fugitive slaves escaping through Pennsylvania.

Debra Sandoe McCauslin, historian and author, guides us through her family’s legacy in the area. During a car ride through the region’s backroads, she introduces the people—both enslaved and free—who made this region a corridor of courage. She recounts stories of Quaker households that defied the Fugitive Slave Act to protect men, women, and children on the run.

Lewiston, New York: Final U.S. Stop at Freedom Crossing

Nestled on the banks of the Niagara River, Lewiston, New York was the final hurdle for many freedom seekers. From here, they crossed into Canada, risking their lives to make it across by boat or by foot—especially when the river froze over in winter.

We speak with Eva Nichlas and Tim Henderson from the Lewiston Council on the Arts, who help preserve the legacy of Freedom Crossing, where community members hid fugitives and helped them cross the border. But even in this northern border town, danger loomed. Slave catchers and bounty hunters stalked Lewiston, sometimes aided by federal law enforcement.

Buxton, Ontario: A Black Settlement and Safe Haven in Canada

Following the War of 1812, Canada’s stance against slavery turned it into a beacon for African Americans fleeing enslavement. One of the most notable communities founded by and for formerly enslaved people was Buxton, Ontario, also known historically as the Elgin Settlement.

Founded by Reverend William King, a white Presbyterian minister who fought racism among white settlers, Buxton became one of the most successful Black settlements in Canada. Today, it remains a living community where descendants of freedom seekers still reside.

We visit Bryan and Shannon Prince, farmers and historians who preserve the legacy of their ancestors through the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum. Their family’s story represents a powerful connection between past and present—land once granted to fugitives is still being tilled by their descendants.

P.S.

World Footprints Destination Spotlights: Romania & the Falkland Islands

In this episode, we also take a brief detour from North America to explore stories of cultural identity and history in two unexpected places: Romania and the Falkland Islands. These short spotlights offer context and inspiration for travelers interested in heritage tourism and deeper storytelling around the globe.

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