How did the underground railroads get its name?

Answer 1

The underground railroad actually got its name when a slave named Tice Davids escaped from Kentucky in 1831 and swam across the Ohio River to freedom in Ripley, Ohio. According to legend, Davids' owner was chasing him in a boat when he lost sight of his swimming slave. The owner thought Davids must have taken an 'underground railroad'. That comment was reported in the press, and the term has been used ever since.

The underground railroad was named for the slaves' method of escape to freedom. "Underground" means the movement was secret and intentionally took place below the awareness of public officials and most members of society. The "railroad" designation took its name from the code for safe houses, which were called "stations" or "depots," and the participating abolitionists, who were called "station masters."

In many respects, the underground railroad resembled a real railroad operation in that there were fixed routes, conductors, stations or depots, and a final destination.

It was referred to as "underground" because it was considered to be (intentionally) obscured; "travelers" spent time at "stations", also known as "safe houses", under the watchful care of "Conductors" who assisted escaped slaves despite the considerable risks to their own life and limb.

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