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The founding of Rocky Fork near Godfrey, Illinois, in 1816 represents a significant milestone in the struggle against slavery in the United States. Established by four free African American families, Rocky Fork swiftly emerged as a prominent Underground Railroad station, providing refuge and support to enslaved individuals seeking liberation from bondage.
Strategically positioned just north of Alton, Illinois, and a mere two miles from the Mississippi River—a demarcation line between slaveholding Missouri and free Illinois—Rocky Fork assumed a critical role as a waystation for freedom seekers fleeing enslavement.
Priscilla Baltimore, a formerly enslaved woman from Missouri who secured her freedom, played a pivotal role in galvanizing the community’s anti-slavery efforts. Though not a resident of Rocky Fork, Baltimore’s advocacy led to the establishment of Rocky Fork New Bethel AME Church by John Paul Quinn, an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) circuit-riding missionary. This institution swiftly became a vital sanctuary along the Underground Railroad route, earning Baltimore the moniker “Moses of the West” for her direct assistance in guiding over 300 fugitives to safety.
The presence of New Bethel AME Church catalyzed Rocky Fork’s anti-slavery activism, attracting both black and white abolitionists to serve as conductors along the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Through interracial collaboration, freedom seekers fleeing enslavement from Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee found solace and refuge in Rocky Fork.
The route to Rocky Fork typically followed the Illinois River valley, with fugitives aided by sympathetic boat owners along the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers. Alternatively, some sought overland routes or utilized swimming to reach the area. Upon reaching the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, freedom seekers navigated Piasa Creek to Rocky Fork Creek. Along the way, landmarks such as the Mail Tree and the Slave Tree served as guides, containing hidden messages directing fugitives to Underground Railroad stations like Rocky Fork.
Despite the danger, the Rocky Fork community remained steadfast in its commitment to aiding the oppressed, defying laws such as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793. Their unwavering dedication facilitated the escape of an estimated 100,000 individuals from slavery through the Underground Railroad before the onset of the Civil War.
While the story of Rocky Fork remained overlooked for many years, its significance is now being acknowledged and preserved. The National Park Service has recognized Rocky Fork as a verified Underground Railroad location, ensuring that the courageous efforts of its inhabitants will endure as a testament to the enduring struggle for freedom and equality in American history.
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