There’s a marker now in the 400 block of Shadeland Avenue letting people know it is the site of the Riverview House/Cleveland Farm section of Upper Darby’s Underground Railroad, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.
Upper Darby unveiled the marker on Friday.
The Upper Darby Underground Railroad self-guided tour was created in 2021 by former Mayor Barbarann Keffer and the Upper Darby Historic Commission.
The trail has eight stops and begins at Thornfield on Garrett Road. It runs through Arlington Cemetery and finishes at Friends Cemetery on Powell Lane.
“This is a positive story we tell about history in Upper Darby Township,” said historian Scott Alberts. “We really encourage everyone to take the self-guided tour.”
Thomas Garrett, a dedicated abolitionist, was born at The Riverview House. He helped over 2,700 enslaved people escape to freedom, including members of Harriet Tubman’s family.
The original home is gone now, but the historic marker recognizes Thomas Garrett Jr. and his wife Mary Sharpless, who helped move slaves from Delaware.
Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown was joined at the marker unveiling by other township officials and students from the Holy Child Academy School, 475 Shadeland Ave.
Find out more about the new marker and Upper Darby’s Underground Railroad tour in the Daily Times.
Editor’s Note: This post was initially published on DELCO Today in April 2025.
