While many areas in different states are home to Underground Railroad locations, Chester County boasts an especially large number of preserved sites with documented history, writes Kimberly Haas for Hidden City Philadelphia.

Several stops were in Kennett Square, including the Pines, the home of Bartholomew Fussell, who was one of the original signers of the American Anti-Slavery Society’s “Declaration of Sentiments” in 1833.

Another site is the former home of the Society of Progressive Friends at Longwood. Established in 1853 to work against slavery, the Society hosted many renowned speakers, including Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth.

Meanwhile, People’s Hall was constructed in East Fallowfield Township in 1845 as a place for the East Fallowfield Anti-Slavery Society to meet.

In Downingtown, a boarding school operated by Zebulon Thomas and his daughters had an additional building that was used to shelter freedom seekers.

Vickers Pottery in Exton also served as another station. The owner, John Vickers, was renowned as an abolitionist.

And in Phoenixville, Abel and Isabel Fitzwater offered shelter to freedom seekers at their home. Today, the farm buildings are a restaurant that is named Fitzwater Station.

Read more about local Underground Railroad sites at Hidden City Philadelphia here.