Proud to have been born in Montrose, Pennsylvania

I was born there. It’s in the endless mountains in northern Pennsylvania right up there by New York and Binghamton.

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Montrose, Pennsylvania, played a significant role as a crucial stop on the Northern Trail of the Underground Railroad during the 1840s and 1850s, acting as a refuge for freedom seekers fleeing the South toward Canada. Due to the strong anti-slavery sentiments in Susquehanna County, the town was home to numerous abolitionists who operated safe houses, with 21 identified Underground Railroad agents coming from the county. 

Pocono Record

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Key roles and facts regarding Montrose in the Underground Railroad include:

• Safe Houses and Stations: Several buildings in Montrose served as safe houses, including the Torrey House, the old jail, the Jessup House, and the Silver Lake Bank building (which currently houses the Center for Anti-Slavery Studies - CASS).

• Key Abolitionists: Prominent local figures involved in guiding, sheltering, and aiding escaping slaves included David Post, Isaac Post, and Benjamin R. Lyon.

• The Route: Montrose acted as a critical stop in Northeast Pennsylvania, often receiving fugitives from Wilkes-Barre before directing them further north towards New York (Binghamton, Owego, or Elmira) and ultimately Canada.

• Settlement for Freed Slaves: While many used Montrose as a transit point, dozens of runaway slaves decided to stay in the area, finding work and community, such as at the Zion AME Church, which supported Black worshippers.

• Documenting History: The Center for Anti-Slavery Studies (CASS), based in Montrose, has researched and documented the regional history of the Underground Railroad, countering the narrative that such activity was limited to the Philadelphia area.