Welcome to Month 4 of the Underground Railroad Block of the Month. This month we have the Crossroads block. All reference to the underground railroad quilt code is taken from the book, Hidden in Plain View The book recounts the story of Ozella McDaniel Williams’ recollection of the quilt code used to aid the slaves on their journey to freedom.
“The monkey wrench turns the wagon wheel toward Canada on a bear’s paw trial to the crossroads…” The crossroads referred to Cleveland, Ohio. Following the opening of the Ohio & Erie Canal, Cleveland became a major player in the Underground Railroad. The city was codenamed “Hope.” It was an important destination for escaped slaves and was teeming with abolitionists and underground railroad conductors who helped guide the slaves toward Canada.
