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Experience Your America ... Aboard the Underground Railroad
	Sites in Michigan A National Register Travel Itinerary 1. Schoolcraft ... Dr. Nathan Thomas House 2. Detroit ... Second Baptist Church   ... other states on this itinerary ... other travel itineraries

Dr. Nathan Thomas House Photograph taken by Donald H. Sanborn courtesy of the Michigan Historical Center.	1910 postcard of the Thomas House. Caption at the bottom reads, "Original Home of Dr. Nathan Thomas, Kalamazoo County's first doctor and friend of the slaves." Photographer unknown courtesy of the Michigan Historical Center.
Second Baptist Church of Detroit Photograph by Daniel Hershberger	States with featured properties General directions of escape Free state; slavery prohibited Slave state; slavery permitted Territories where slavery permitted by local decision

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MAP TO HOUSE History of Schoolcraft's Underground Railway House The Underground Railway House in Schoolcraft, Michigan is located at 613 East Cass Street. It is easily recognized by the white picket fence in front and identified by a sign in the front yard. It is a small house but in the last century, it played an important part in the Nation's history ... In the early 1840's, people sympathetic to slaves seeking to escape from the South organized a system by which they could reach freedom in Canada safely and quickly. Since it was illegal to assist escaping slaves and, therefore, kept secretive, this system was called The Underground Railroad. Arrangements were made for overnight sanctuary for the fugitives in private homes, called Stations, and for transportation to the next hiding place on their journey. When the Underground Railroad passed through southern Michigan, Dr. Nathan Thomas, an ardent Quaker Abolitionist living in Schoolcraft, was asked to open his home as a station. He quickly agreed for he had been providing such sanctuary for many years. Dr. Thomas, the first physician in Kalamazoo County, had built a small two-room office on Cass and Centre Streets in 1835. After his marriage to Miss Pamela Brown in 1840, he added two wings to the original structure and raised the roof to allow two rooms upstairs. During the twenty years, the Station was in operation, 1,000 to 1,500 escaping slaves were given food, shelter, medical aid, and encouragement. The home was often crowded for the four Thomas children were born during those years. Yet there was always room for the unexpected guests and Mrs. Thomas' hours were full with extra meals to cook and beds to be made ready. Shortly after the Civil War, Doctor Thomas built on the same corner a new, palatial brick home. The old frame house was retired and moved to its present location on East Cass Street in 1868. Here it has remained for over a century and a quarter. In 1975 the Underground Railway House was purchased by the Schoolcraft Historical Society. Since that time, the house has been restored to its present status and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Underground Railway House now stands as a tribute to the courage of those who would not tolerate slavery and sought freedom, and of those who gave them aid in their flight. Additionally, the House provides an example of life in Southwestern Michigan during the middle years of the 19th Century. Schoolcraft Historical Society P.O. Box 451 Schoolcraft, Michigan   49087 269-679-4304 NOTE:   The Underground Railway House is handicapped accessible. Tours are available by appointment.

The Underground Railway House ... 613 E. Cass Street Built in 1835 by Nathan Thomas, this house served as a link in the Underground Railroad network of stations which helped slaves find a passage to freedom. This home is maintained by the Schoolcraft Historical Society. Tours are available by appointment. For more information, call (269) 679-4304 * Michigan History for Kids hosted by the Michigan Historical Center * Today in History * Kalamazoo County History

National Register of Historic Places: Michigan | Kalamazoo County Thomas, Dr. Nathan M., House ** (added 1982 - Building - #82002843) a.k.a. Underground Railway House 613 E. Cass Street, Schoolcraft Historic Significance: Person Historic Person: Thomas, Dr. Nathan M. Significant Year: 1835, 1840, 1888 Area of Significance: Exploration/Settlement, Politics/Government, Social History Period of Significance: 1825-1849, 1875-1899 Owner: Private Historic Function: Domestic, Health Care Historic Sub-function: Medical Business/Office, Single Dwelling Current Function: Domestic Current Sub-function: Single Dwelling SOURCE: http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com

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P.O.Box 763 * Schoolcraft, MI * 49087 * USA