Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail Expands in Third Year

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Ohio is making it easier than ever for travelers to walk in the footsteps of freedom seekers. Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Development, and TourismOhio today announced the continued growth of the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail, adding seven new primary sites and four secondary sites to the statewide route.

The expansion comes as Ohio recognizes September as International Underground Railroad Month, to honor the courage of freedom seekers and the communities that helped them.

"We are proud that Ohio played such a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad," said Governor DeWine. "Through this trail, we are inviting the world to see the rich history that makes Ohio such a special place to explore."

Now in its third year, the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail has grown to feature 48 primary stops across the state. New additions include the John Gee Black Historical Center in Gallipolis, Lucy Depp Park in Powell, the Gabriel Smith Memorial Gateway to Freedom Display in the Preble County District Library in Eaton, and the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center in Findlay.

"When we invest in Ohio's historic places, we are investing in the people and communities that keep these stories alive," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. "This trail is not just about history - it's about bringing visitors to Main Streets, creating economic opportunity, and helping Ohio communities thrive."

Sites were recommended by local and county visitor bureaus and selected based on their ties to the Underground Railroad or known Ohio abolitionists. Additional consideration was given to sites that are open to the public, host tours, and provide educational or experiential elements for visitors. Historical marker sites, private homes, and/or sites not currently open to the public were not considered.

"The Underground Railroad isn't just one story, it's hundreds of stories, told in every corner of Ohio," said State Tourism Director Sarah Wickham. "This trail lets visitors piece those stories together, whether they're standing on the banks of the Ohio River in Ripley or at a museum in Gallipolis. It's history you can experience, not just read about."

Investment in Appalachia Ohio Sites

Several sites along the trail were supported by the Appalachian Community Grant Program, a $500 million investment spearheaded by the DeWine Administration with support from the Ohio General Assembly. The program, administered by the Governor's Office of Appalachia within the Department of Development, is helping revitalize communities across the state's 32-county Appalachia region.

Highlights include:

• Black Horse Inn (Morristown): With nearly $4 million from the Appalachian Downtowns & Destinations Initiative, the Underground Railroad Museum in Belmont County will relocate from Flushing to the historic Black Horse Inn in Morristown. Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine joined local leaders for a celebration in June 2025 to launch the restoration of the building, once an important stop on the Underground Railroad.

Travelers can also learn about the Underground Railroad Museum and the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail at the newly re-imagined I-70 eastbound rest area in Belmont County. The rest area now features photographs and artifacts on loan from the museum.

Governor DeWine attends the celebration of the start of restoration to the Black Horse Inn in Morristown

Governor and First Lady DeWine join community leaders in Ripley to break ground on the Freedom Landing Revitalization Project

• Ripley's Freedom Landing Revitalization Project: Supported by nearly $16.4 million through Ohio's Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative, the Ripley's Freedom Landing Revitalization Project will transform the Ohio Riverfront into a space that honors the community's role in the Underground Railroad. Governor and First Lady DeWine attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the project in August. A new Freedom Plaza will include the dramatic 30-foot Freedom Beacon, reinstall the Freedom Monument, and honor Ripley's Underground Railroad heroes with new historical markers. Enhanced pedestrian pathways and wayfinding will link the riverfront with Main Street, creating a more walkable, inviting environment that supports tourism, local businesses, and overall quality of life.

Many of the trail's featured sites, along with several more in Southern Ohio, are also part of the Appalachian Freedom Heritage tour. Lawrence Economic Development Corporation in Ohio is the lead organization on this multi-state project, which received funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) grant. Ohio's Governor's Office of Appalachia administers state ARC funding.

Visitors can learn more about Ohio's Underground Railroad legacy, or download the trail map, at Ohio.org/UGRRTrail.

Click here to download digital assets

Operating within the Ohio Department of Development, TourismOhio works to showcase all Ohio has to offer as a place of adventure, a place of promise, and the place for you.  

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio's people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.

###

For Immediate Release:
Sept. 16, 2025

For more information, contact: Sarah Wickham [email protected]