The Midwest Underground Railroad Network plans to hold an educational hike and community picnic at Schubert’s Woods near Park Forest July 11.
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The event aims to highlight the significance of Sauk Trail, originally a Native American trail that ran through Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, as one of the paths that was taken by enslaved people seeking freedom in Canada, said coordinator Tom Shepherd.
“The Underground Railroad as it was at the time, one of the routes came right through the area,” Shepherd said. “It was a trail that had been travelled over centuries and centuries by indigenous peoples.”
That led people through the area of Park Forest, Richton Park and Crete, Shepherd said. The Midwest Underground Railroad Network is partnering with the Crete Historical Society to put on the event, which has some members who are descendants of Crete-area abolitionists, Shepherd said.
Beginning around noon, Larry McClellan, a professor and Underground Railroad researcher, will deliver a presentation on the area’s history. A representative from the Crete Historical Society will also provide some information on local Underground Railroad figures and activities, according to a news release shared by the network.
The event is free, though attendees are asked to bring their own lunch and chairs.
Ahead of the picnic, there will be an optional hike to the site of the former McCoy Homestead, Shepherd said, which served as a station along the route.
“It’s already been documented that the McCoys hosted many many dozens of freedom seekers as they came through,” Shepherd said.
People who want to participate in the hike should arrive by 10:30 a.m., according to the news release.
The Midwest Underground Railroad Network is currently working on an application to the National Park Service to get the site recognized, Shepherd said.
Much of the network’s work has been focused on unearthing the history of the Underground Railroad through Chicago and the south suburbs, such as the Ton Farm site on Chicago’s far south side. Comparatively little has been done focusing on the Sauk Trail route, Shepherd said.
“Recently we did a presentation in Richton Park, and they have done more and more research on the Underground Railroad, and found that these sites exist,” Shepherd said. “We all agree that it’s something that should be shared, and a part of our history that’s underrepresented.”
Recently, Shepherd said, members of the network went out to the site of the former homestead with members of the Illinois Archeological Society. Eventually, he said, they hope to see kiosks with historical information added to the area.
“It’s just part of our story of the Underground Railroad in this area that so little, so few people even know about,” Shepherd said.
If you go…
When: July 11, arrive by 10:30 a.m. for hike, picnic and presentation from noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Schubert’s Woods Pavilion, about four blocks east of Western Avenue on Sauk Trail
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Bring: Food and chairs; snacks and drinks will be provided