Twelve Years A Slave: The Road to Emancipation

North Star Underground Railroad Museum at Ausable Chasm

The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a fine fiddler, and was able to earn a living playing. In 1841, Solomon was tricked into traveling to Washington DC, where he was sold into slavery and held captive for twelve years. Upon his return to his wife and family in Glens Falls, Solomon lectured on behalf of the abolitionist movement, telling about his experiences and the evils of slavery. Explore the landscape, history and heritage of Solomon Northup and the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad.

Historic Museums and Attractions: History & Heritage

Start at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence

Go northwest on Livingston Ave toward Lark St
0.23 mi – 00:01:04

Turn right on Northern Blvd
0.05 mi – 00:00:09

Take ramp on the left to US-9 N toward I-90
0.13 mi – 00:00:12

Continue on US-9 N
5.80 mi – 00:11:01

At fork keep left on US-9 N (Loudon Rd)
1.31 mi – 00:02:58

Turn left onto ramp to RT-7 W / I-87
0.11 mi – 00:00:12

At fork keep right on I-87 N toward Saratoga Springs / Glens Falls
6.83 mi – 00:07:23

At exit 9 bear right onto ramp to RT-146 toward Clifton Park / Halfmoon
0.24 mi – 00:00:29

At fork keep right on RT-146 E toward Halfmoon (US-9) / Mechanicville / Stillwater
0.04 mi – 00:00:16

Turn right on Clifton Park Blvd (RT-146)
0.13 mi – 00:00:19

Continue on Mechanicville Rd (RT-146)
0.06 mi – 00:00:20

Turn left on US-9 (Route 9)
6.29 mi – 00:08:54

At roundabout, take the second exit to proceed on RT-67 (US-9)
1.03 mi – 00:01:33

At roundabout, take the second exit to proceed on US-9 N (RT-67 N)
0.56 mi – 00:01:22

At roundabout, take the second exit to proceed on US-9 N
7.63 mi – 00:13:20

Make sharp left on Congress St
0.03 mi – 00:00:09

Arrive at Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, on the left

Depart Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center

Go back east on Congress St
0.03 mi – 00:00:10

Turn left on Broadway (US-9)
0.06 mi – 00:00:18

Turn right on Spring St (RT-9P)
0.08 mi – 00:00:21

Turn left on Putnam St and immediately turn right on Foley Ln
0.09 mi – 00:00:45

Turn left on Henry St
0.20 mi – 00:01:21

Turn right on RT-29 (Lake Ave)
10.42 mi – 00:16:00

Make sharp right on Green St
0.27 mi – 00:01:27

Turn left on Ferry St
0.20 mi – 00:01:08

Continue on RT-29 (Ferry St)
2.10 mi – 00:03:31

Turn right on Wilbur Ave
0.14 mi – 00:00:20

Turn left on Bulson Rd
1.05 mi – 00:01:15

Turn left on Hegeman Bridge Rd
0.07 mi – 00:00:09

Continue on Hill St
0.60 mi – 00:00:57

Turn left on Dixon Dr (Dixson Dr)
0.11 mi – 00:00:15

Turn right on Academy St
0.21 mi – 00:00:39

Turn left on Van Ness Ave
0.07 mi – 00:00:28

Turn right on Hiram St
0.07 mi – 00:00:15

Turn left on Corliss Ave
0.06 mi – 00:00:19

Arrive at Mowry Park Underground Railroad Walking Tour, on the right

Depart Mowry Park Underground Railroad Walking Tour

Continue north on Corliss Ave
0.03 mi – 00:00:08

Turn left on RT-29 (Main St)
0.92 mi – 00:02:02

At roundabout, take the first exit to proceed on RT-40 (State Route 40)
0.96 mi – 00:01:23

Turn left on Bald Mountain Rd (CR-77)
4.48 mi – 00:07:02

Make sharp right on US-4 (Lakes To Locks Psge)
8.10 mi – 00:09:26

Arrive at Old Fort House Museum, on the left

Depart Old Fort House Museum

Go north on US-4 (Broadway)
3.06 mi – 00:07:38

Turn right at Main St / Park Pl to stay on US-4 (Main St)
1.83 mi – 00:04:24

Turn left on Waite Rd (Wait Rd)
1.12 mi – 00:02:41

Bear right on Vaughn Rd (CR-35)
2.32 mi – 00:03:21

Continue on CR-36 (County Route 36)
0.38 mi – 00:00:37

Arrive at Underground Railroad Stone Chair, on the left

Depart Underground Railroad Stone Chair

Go back west on CR-36 (County Route 36)
0.04 mi – 00:00:03

Turn right on Bentley Rd
1.51 mi – 00:03:38

Turn left on Mattison Rd
1.92 mi – 00:04:37

Turn right on RT-149 (State Route 149)
1.98 mi – 00:03:01

Turn right on US-4 (RT-149)
0.13 mi – 00:00:24

Arrive at Old Stone House Library, on the left

Depart Old Stone House Library

Go back northeast on US-4 (George St)
3.97 mi – 00:05:02

Continue on RT-22 (US-4)
6.73 mi – 00:08:31

At fork keep left on RT-22 (Broadway)
24.85 mi – 00:28:56

Turn left on Montcalm St
1.21 mi – 00:03:55

Turn right on RT-9N (Wicker St)
8.46 mi – 00:13:18

Turn right to stay on RT-9N (RT-22)
21.72 mi – 00:30:59

Turn right onto ramp and go on I-87 N
17.08 mi – 00:16:05

At exit 33 take ramp on the right to RT-22 toward Keeseville (US-9)
0.32 mi – 00:00:41

Turn right on RT-22
0.06 mi – 00:00:09

Turn left at US-9 to stay on RT-22 (US-9)
1.16 mi – 00:02:05

Turn right on Mace Chasm Rd (CR-71)
4.93 mi – 00:07:51

Turn right on Ausable Hotel Rd
0.30 mi – 00:00:43

Arrive at North Star Underground Railroad Museum, on the right

Depart North Star Underground Railroad Museum

Continue northwest on Ausable Hotel Rd
0.05 mi – 00:00:07

Turn right on Mace Chasm Rd (CR-71)
0.08 mi – 00:00:16

Make sharp left on RT-373 (Route 373)
0.11 mi – 00:00:12

At fork keep left on RT-373 (Route 373)
0.10 mi – 00:00:15

Bear left on US-9 (Lakes To Locks Psge)
1.64 mi – 00:03:09

Bear right on RT-9N (Pleasant St)
5.93 mi – 00:08:24

Bear left on Lower Rd
0.25 mi – 00:00:40

Turn left to stay on Lower Rd
0.11 mi – 00:00:18

Turn left on Dugway Rd
0.07 mi – 00:00:14

Turn right on Green St
5.83 mi – 00:12:44

Turn left on Stickney Bridge Rd (CR-64)
4.51 mi – 00:08:07

Turn right on Glen Rd (CR-82)
0.43 mi – 00:00:52

Turn left on RT-9N (Nys Route 9N)
0.08 mi – 00:00:10

Turn right on RT-86 (Nys Route 86)
5.08 mi – 00:07:31

Turn left at RT-431 / Bonnie View Rd to stay on RT-86 (Nys Route 86)
8.86 mi – 00:12:23

Turn left on River Rd (CR-21)
4.02 mi – 00:08:25

Turn right on Cascade Rd (RT-73)
0.39 mi – 00:00:37

Continue on Old Military Rd (CR-35)
0.09 mi – 00:00:08

Turn left on John Brown Rd (Old John Brown Rd)
0.65 mi – 00:01:33

Finish at John Brown Farm Historic Site, on the right

Print Directions

Trip Plan Details

Activities: 16.5 hours

Driving: 5 hr, 14 min/204.2 mi

Duration: 3 days

In This Trip Plan

1The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
2Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center
3Mowry Park Underground Railroad Walking Tour
4Old Fort House Museum
5Underground Railroad Stone Chair
6Old Stone House Library
7North Star Underground Railroad Museum
8John Brown Farm Historic Site

1 The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
Historic Museums and Attractions| History & Heritage
The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a…
Read more
2 Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center
History & Heritage
The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a…
Read more
3 Mowry Park Underground Railroad Walking Tour
Experiences| On Your Own
The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a…
Read more
4 Old Fort House Museum
Historic Museums and Attractions| History & Heritage
The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a…
Read more
5 Underground Railroad Stone Chair
Historic Districts and Sites| History & Heritage
The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a…
Read more
6 Old Stone House Library
Culture| Libraries, Archives and Special Collections
The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a…
Read more
7 North Star Underground Railroad Museum
Historic Museums and Attractions| History & Heritage
The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a…
Read more
8 John Brown Farm Historic Site
Historic Museums and Attractions| History & Heritage
The book Twelve Years a Slave is the true story of a man whose life before, and after, slavery was spent along Lakes to Locks Passage. Born a free black man in the Lake Champlain region, Solomon Northup spent much of his young life working on farms and the Champlain Canal. He was considered a…
Read more

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Twelve Years A Slave: The Road to Emancipation

In This Trip Plan

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