Tribune editorial staff

The waiting took weeks. Fear filled almost every free thought. Preparations were limited. What could you do? What mystery was ahead? The rules were simple. Go north and do not get caught. To do so could be deadly.

When the new moon came and the sky was black, it was time, time to steal away, risking it all in a run for freedom.

Days of hiding out and nights of traveling through the darkness followed. For the lucky few that succeeded in traveling the Underground Railroad, the perilous trip was worth the freedom it delivered.

What many modern people fail to realize is that Lawrence County contained several stops along the route.

In fact, Ironton founder and abolitionist John Campbell was critical to the stops in the area. His house was one such stop. Now home to the administrative offices of the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization, the building is one of many historic places in the county.

This week, a small delegation from Lawrence County joined others from around the country in celebrating the opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.

As part of the opening, a small sample of Lawrence County soil - taken from several key sites - was mixed with other "free soil" from around the country.

The significance of Lawrence County's part in history should not be understated.

Having Underground Railroad stops in the county is great. Our residents should be honored by the history we have here. But what are we doing to let the world know about these? Are we honoring the true spirit of our ancestors who created it?

Are the sites mapped so visitors can easily find them? What's preventing us from opening these historic sites up for tourists to stop and see?

Not doing so is almost selfish. And it goes against the very nature of the man who founded Ironton, the very man who helped guide slaves to freedom.