Smith-Cowles House

Horace (1782-1841) and Mary Ann (1784-1837) Cowles were Underground Railroad stationmasters who hid fugitive slaves here. Once, while they were hiding a fugitive in their house, they had to leave home unexpectedly. They put their little daughter Mary Ann (1826-1899) in charge. All day long she sat on her doorstep and told visitors, “go away – my father will be home tonight.” One visitor was a slave-hunter from the south, but thanks to Mary Ann Cowles, that hunter never found his prey. This home is privately owned and not open to the public.