Legends and Lore of Underground Railroad in Sodus NY

If you have stayed with us over the years you'll recall me telling you stories that our home is rumored to have been on the Underground Railroad. That the previous ancestors to our home have shared their childhood tales of their mother tying a rope around their waist and allowing them to venture into a tunnel that ran from the creek bed to the back of the fireplace in our dinning room. And, that they stood behind the fireplace; a small closet like compartment while a fire was burning just so that they could experience what fugitive slaves had to endure back in the day. During the early 1800's, small schooners sailed into to Maxwell Bay at the bottom of the property to trade Canadian wheat for the flour that was made at Preston's Mill; now just our barn full of stuff. This allowed fugitive slaves to take a ship to Canada from the small embayment; Maxwell Bay at the bottom of the property.

Over the years, several writers have stayed at Maxwell Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast to write specifically about the activities of the Underground Railroad  here and nearby Sodus and Sodus Point, NY. I've shared the plethora of clues I've collected over the years that give some pretty strong evidence that our home was actually a safe harbor for fugitive slaves and  that the ancestors were abolitionists.

With that said I have always been interested in learning more about how quilts were used as signals for safe passage from one safe house to the next. On June 4th the Neighborhood Association of Sodus Point is hosting an "UNDERGROUND RAILROAD QUILT PRESENTATION" at Captain Jack's in Sodus Point from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free Refreshments and cash bar.  Hope to see you there!

Legends and Lore of the Underground Railroad

I'm also excited to learn that the Village of Sodus Point Historian has recently applied for a Legends and Lore of the Underground Railroad marker for our property. Bruce Farrington, Village Historian of Sodus Point is heading the effort in helping us get the Preston - Gaylord Cobblestone Farmhouse, a.k.a Maxwell Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast, recognized as being a safe house for fugitive slaves in the 1800's.

Historic Trolley Rides

June 14, 2015 - Hear local history while riding "Molly the Trolley" around historic Sodus Point, NY from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. *Two different rides: one on the history of the trolley and one on the local history of Sodus Point. Adults ride for $10 and Children are $5.   You must call ahead to reserve a seat : (585) 750-0688.  From 1900 to 1929 the Rochester-Sodus Bay Railroad took passengers to Sodus Bay for $1.32 to picnic, fish, sail and conduct commerce. This event is sponsored by the Neighborhood Association of Sodus Point.

History Alive at the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum: 

May 20, 2015 6:30 p.m - 8:00 p.m.- Sodus Point Village  Hall, 8356 Bay St., Sodus Point, NY. Rosie the Riveter to Harriet the Happy Homemaker; Womens's roles in the 40's and 50's presented by Rob Edelman. For more information go to www.sodusbaylighthouse.org