Ford Underground Railroad Station

Erie County · dedicated 2026 · 1319 Parade Street

In the early 1800s, Emma Howell, a Black woman freed from slavery, and her husband James Ford, who liberated himself, owned the property at Parade and 12th streets and operated it as an Underground Railroad station. Prior to Emancipation, it was known to freedom seekers as a place for shelter and safe passage. Erie’s location on Lake Erie, proximity to Canada, and network of abolitionists made it a crucial way station for many freedom seekers.

TodayHistorical map

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection

Example

under a mile from where William Gabby lived in the 1760s

what this marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years here

From one family's 77-marker roster

Upload your family tree and TreeAlive finds the markers near where your own ancestors lived.

See your family's markers

Start with a tree file, a FamilySearch sign in, or a WikiTree ID.

Report a problem with this page

The marker isn't at this spotOur pin may be off. If you know where it stands, tell us.I couldn't find the markerWe record what the source recorded. We have not been to look.The sign reads differentlyThat would be an error, and we can pass it to the program.The historical map looks wrongThe period map behind the pin, not the marker itself.Something else

We may pass what you report to the state's marker program. Please don't include personal details.

Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

More markers nearby

St. James A.M.E. Churchunder 1 mi
Pennsylvania National Guard 112th Infantry Regimentunder 1 mi
Fort Presque Isleunder 1 mi
Otto Mayaunder 1 mi