PENNSYLVANIA \u2014 Often modest houses served as \u201cstations\u201d or \u201cdepots\u201d along the secret network that made up the Underground Railroad during one of the largest freedom movements in U.S. history.<\/p>\n
\u201cStationmasters,\u201d as these brave people who risked their lives by hiding escaped slaves in their homes are known, often built hidden rooms and tunnels to dupe bounty hunters. It is widely believed that between 1820 and 1861, about 100,000 people escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad, a network of dozens of secret routes and safe houses originating in slaveholding states and extending north to the Canadian border.<\/p>\n
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which required that captured escaped slaves be returned to their owners, reinforced the need to keep the mechanics of the network a secret among a few people. Anyone convicted or indicted for assisting in any way to help slaves escape to freedom was subject to fines and imprisonment. That makes documenting the \u201cstations\u201d a daunting task, according to historians.<\/p>\n This week in How Much House, we feature three properties with Underground Railroad ties in Pennsylvania, Illinois and New York.<\/p>\n 20 Ellis Lane West Chester Pennsylvania has a rich Underground Railroad history, with each county boasting at least one stopover. This home has a ridden room in its attic.<\/p>\n The first floor is defined by a giant living space with a big, beautiful fireplace and a beamed ceiling. Also on the first floor are a powder room, office, kitchen, formal dining room with a built-in cupboard and a light-filled sun porch.<\/p>\n It also has four big bedrooms, two full bathrooms with tubs, a small additional dressing room with multiple closets, and a big basement.<\/p>\n The square footage doesn\u2019t include the three-story barn, with its English country garden entrance, has an updated central air conditioning system and cold running water with an outside spigot. <\/p>\n The first floor has \u201ccubby sections\u201d on the first floor, original chestnut hand-hewn beams, hardwood floors of random widths, upgraded LED lighting with electric panels on the first and third floors, front and rear outside lighting, expansive floor space, beautiful brick stone walls and big window to let the light in. <\/p>\n The barn can be used as a home office, event venue, artist studio, classroom or business. An attached two-car garage offers even more space. The 2.2-acre property also has a garden area, chicken coop, fire pit, spacious patio, and a fish pond. Peek inside for more photos.<\/strong><\/p>\n 619 E. Euclid St., Lewistown Because it was farther south than other free states and is bordered by slaveholding states Missouri and Kentucky, Illinois was an important part of the Underground Railroad. <\/p>\n The three bedrooms are all located on the second floor and share a half bath. One of the bedroom has doors that lead to a private deck.<\/p>\n On the main level, the living room has a wood-burning fireplace. Also on the first floor are an informal dining room and kitchen, where the laundry facilities are located.<\/p>\n A large mudroom on the back of the house has an entry to the basement.<\/p>\n The two-car detached garage has a new door. A new electric box was also installed. Peek inside for more photos.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p> 5868 Route 209, Kerhonkson Because the Underground Railroad operated surreptitiously, it hasn\u2019t been confirmed this home was part of the route, though it is widely believed to share the storied history of the freedom movement.<\/p>\n Sitting on property zoned for both residential and business, this beautifully rehabbed farmhouse can be used as a full-time residence, bed and breakfast, office space, boutique hotel or other uses. It sits on 5.8 meadow-like acres with sweeping views of the Shawangunk Ridgeline.<\/p>\n An oversized foyer is the central point of the home. On one side is a large living room, where a wood-burning fireplace and original columns and windows keep the historic charm of the house. The formal dining room has space for a table for eight and also has an original wood-burning fireplace. Plenty of windows let the light stream into the eat-in kitchen, which has all new appliances and cabinets.<\/p>\n Upstairs are four good-sized bedrooms with high ceilings, which are rare in homes of this age. Wide\u2013plank gleaming hardwood floors carry the historic feel of the home throughout the upper level. Three full bathrooms have radiant-heated floors, modernized fixtures and tile work.<\/p>\n On the third floor is a finished bonus area for additional home offices, room for guests and more living space. Peek inside for more photos.<\/strong><\/p>\nFind out what's happening in Across Pennsylvaniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.<\/h2>\n
Pennsylvania | $1,090,000<\/h3>\n
Listed by:<\/strong> Arleen Pecone | RE\/MAX Main Line
Square feet:<\/strong> 2,612
Acreage:<\/strong> 2.20 acres
Bedrooms:<\/strong> 4
Bathrooms:<\/strong> 3 (2 full)
Year built:<\/strong> 1795<\/p>\nFind out what's happening in Across Pennsylvaniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.<\/h2>\n
Illinois | $89,900<\/h3>\n
Listed by:<\/strong> Michelle Campbell | Jim Maloof Realtor
Square feet: <\/strong>2,304
Acreage: <\/strong>unavailable
Bedrooms: <\/strong>3
Bathrooms: <\/strong>2 (1 full)
Year built: <\/strong>unavailable<\/p>\n
\nNew York | $979,000<\/h3>\n
Listed by:<\/strong> Zachary Jarvis | Prudential Nutshell Realty
Square feet:<\/strong> 3,024
Acreage:<\/strong> 5.80 acres
Bedrooms: <\/strong>4
Bathrooms:<\/strong> 3 (all full)
Year built: <\/strong>circa 1790<\/p>\n