Historic markers unveiled on Juneteenth in Canton at the newly discovered site of Frederick Douglass’ escape from slavery

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On Saturday, June 19, 2021, the Canton Community Association, in partnership with the Baltimore National Heritage Area and the Friends of President Street Station, unveiled a set of historic panels commemorating Frederick Douglass’ escape from enslavement in 1838. Nearly 100 neighbors gathered outside at 2809 Boston Street in Canton, the site of the former depot where Frederick Bailey – later known as Frederick Douglass – boarded a train to freedom in the north.

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The dedication program, poignantly held on Juneteenth (Freedom Day), included remarks by several community leaders and anti-racism advocates.

From left to right: Bradley Alston, Baltimore City Historical Society Board Member and Urban Ranger; Zeke Cohen, Councilmember, Baltimore City District 1; Shauntee Daniels, Director, Baltimore National Heritage Area; Mark Edelson, President, Canton Community Association; Bria Shah, Student, Hampstead Hill Academy; Sheila Anderson, Member, Canton Anti-Racism Alliance & CCA Board; Raymond Bahr, Historian, Canton History Project & Alliance History Committee

From left to right: Bradley Alston, Baltimore City Historical Society Board Member and Urban Ranger; Zeke Cohen, Councilmember, Baltimore City District 1; Shauntee Daniels, Director, Baltimore National Heritage Area; Mark Edelson, President, Canton Community Association; Bria Shah, Student, Hampstead Hill Academy; Sheila Anderson, Member, Canton Anti-Racism Alliance & CCA Board; Raymond Bahr, Historian, Canton History Project & Alliance History Committee

Douglass, who made his escape dressed as a sailor, kept this story to himself until he published his third autobiography in 1881. Although Douglass’ account leaves out many logistical details, (including the location of the station), recent research of contemporary documents completed by Dr. Raymond Bahr, citizen historian and founder of the Canton History Project, points to the location of a long-lost railroad depot on Boston Street (in front of what is now Tindeco Wharf Apartments).

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“I heard the theory (from anecdotal sources) that Frederick Bailey, then enslaved in the shipyards of Fell’s Point, probably escaped on a train leaving a station on Boston Street in Canton. So, with the help of colleagues, I dug into contemporary maps, news articles, reports of the Canton Company, and the lore of local railroad historians to fill in a more complete picture of the preconditions young Frederick faced and what decisions he made when planning his escape. We were very excited to discover that such a pivotal moment in history occurred in our neighborhood.” – Dr. Raymond Bahr.

Following his escape from Baltimore, Douglass continued to battle against slavery, oppression, and inequality throughout American society. Today, Douglass is recognized as the most historically consequential American raised in Maryland. His writings about race relations, human liberty, and political power are painfully relevant and consistently impactful.

Funding for this project was provided by The Baltimore National Heritage Area via the Heritage Investment Grant (HIG). Research: Raymond Bahr, Text & Design: Tom Chalkley. Produced with support from the Friends of President Street Station, and the Canton Community Association History Committee.