Stop A: Ross Homestead
While not convenient to the rest of the sites on the African American Heritage Trail the Ross Homestead at 123 Meadow St. is worth a special trip. At one time the Agricultural Department of the NAEI, the farm was purchased by Austin Ross in 1847 and is a well documented station on the UGRR. In 2002 it became a site on the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Now a private home, it is not open to the public.
Cindy Couch
I was born in Northampton and grew up in Florence until 1961 when we moved to Kansas. We lived at 110 Pine St. My father was the minister at Florence Congregational Church. I went to Kindergarten at the Hill Institute. I played in the home at 114 Pine St. I had no idea of the history of the area. I work part-time as the Shopkeeper at Little House on the Prairie Museum in Independence, Ks. A visitor today from O’Fallon, IL told me about a church there that had false walls to hide the slaves during the Underground Railroad era. That made me think of the statute I had seen in Florence of Sojourner Truth while visiting Florence a few years ago. I found your website and “took” the walking tour. Thank you so much. It was fabulous.
Anna Newman
Cindy, thank you so much for your story! We’re glad that you were able to experience our walking tour online. Thank you for sharing your memories with us!