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This is a contributing entry for John Brown Freedom Trail 1859 through Iowa and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.
The Underground Railroad in Iowa John Brown Freedom Trail 1859 - Stop Number Ten Iowa Freedom Trail Project

The Underground Railroad in Iowa

John Brown Freedom Trail 1859 - Stop Number Ten: Near Grinnell, Iowa

Iowa Freedom Trail Project

On February 19, 1859, John Brown’s group stopped at the Cornwall Dickinson Farm on the far eastern edge of Jasper County (see map). The Dickinson Farm was located at the site of the Interstate Highway 80 Eastbound Mile Post 181 Rest Area.

With mild winter weather, John Brown and his entourage stayed only one night at the Dickinson's before continuing on to Grinnell.

Dickinson was a 45 year old farmer, originally from Ashtabula County, Ohio – an antislavery stronghold. He and his wife Rebecca had six children. Based on research at the State Historical Society of Iowa Research Center, we know that Dickinson purchased two parcels of land in Poweshiek County and moved his family there in 1864. 

Next Stop: Grinnell, Iowa

Iowa and the Underground Railroad

https://iowaculture.gov/sites/default/files/History%20-%20Education%20-%20Lifelong%20Learning%20-%20Iowa%20Underground%20Railroad%20(PDF).pdf