Underground Railroad Word Search

Words in the Underground Railroad word search

Every word used across the three levels, with a quick note on what it means.

freedom

The goal of every escape, living free from enslavement.

escape

Getting away from an enslaver, usually at night on foot.

north star

Polaris, the star that pointed travelers north toward free states.

safe house

A home where escaping people could rest and hide.

lantern

An oil lamp sometimes hung outside to signal a safe stop.

station

The code word for a hiding place along the route.

conductor

A guide who led people from one hiding place to the next.

passenger

The code word for a person escaping slavery.

slavery

The system of forced, unpaid labor that travelers were fleeing.

canada

Country to the north where slavery had already been abolished.

secret

The network stayed hidden because helping escapes broke the law.

midnight

Travel usually happened after dark so no one was seen.

shelter

A barn, cellar, or attic used for hiding during daylight.

harriet tubman

Escaped slavery herself, then guided about seventy others to freedom.

quaker

Member of a church group that often opposed slavery.

abolitionist

A person who worked to end slavery completely.

ohio river

Border water that many crossed to reach free northern states.

fugitive

The legal term for someone escaping enslavement and being hunted.

disguise

Different clothing worn to pass unnoticed on roads and boats.

swamp

Wet, difficult ground that hid trails from pursuers.

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