The Hitchcock House

Overview

The Hitchcock House was built in 1856 by Rev. George B. Hitchcock, a Congregational minister. The Hitchcock House played a major role in moving freedom seekers to Canada prior to the Civil War. The house has been accepted as a site on the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, and is a National Historic Landmark. The house is one of the few remaining Underground Railroad "stations" in Iowa. Gift shop also available. it's clear that the Hitchocock's were active in the Underground Railroad from the time they arrived in Cass County. At this early date, there was no way of anticipating the Civil War & the emancipation of slaves. Therefore, when Rev. Hitchcock was in the process of building his "big house" in 1856, he felt it necessary to build a secret room in the basement to allow 'freedom seekers' a refuge on their journey to freedom in the Northern states & Canada.

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