Underground Railroad in Cass County

The area in and around Vandalia, MI, (specifically Calvin, Penn, and Porter Townships) was known as “Young’s Prairie” in the 1820’s - 1860’s.  It was in this area that many Quakers settled in the early 1830’s and formed Birch Lake Meeting.  They settled here to leave slave states and escape the hated practice of slavery.  Some Quakers specifically settled here to become part of the Underground Railroad (UGRR), a network of safe shelters called ‘stations.’  Those who operated these shelters, mostly homes, barns and other out buildings, were known as ‘stationmasters.’  And those who took fugitive slaves (now referred to as freedom seekers) to the next station were called ‘conductors.’   click here to continue reading