Eden, Randolph County, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eden, Illinois
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 Eden, Randolph County, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Eden, Randolph County, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Randolph |
| Elevation | 535 ft (163 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 618 |
| GNIS feature ID | 407764 |
Eden is a small, unincorporated community located in Randolph County, Illinois, in the United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. You can find Eden where two state roads, Illinois Route 153 and Illinois Route 154, meet. It is about 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) east of the town of Sparta.
Eden's Historical Secret: The Underground Railroad
Eden is best known for a very special role it might have played in American history. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), many enslaved people in the southern United States tried to escape to freedom. They traveled north on a secret network called the Underground Railroad.
What Was the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad was not a real railroad with trains. Instead, it was a secret system of routes and safe houses. These safe houses were called "stations." People who helped the freedom seekers were known as "conductors." They guided people from one safe place to the next.
Eden's Role as a "Station"
It is believed that Eden had one of these "stations" or safe houses. This would have been a secret place where freedom seekers could rest and hide. They would have traveled from Chester, a town on the Mississippi River, and then continued their journey through Eden. Their ultimate goal was to reach Canada, where slavery was illegal.
This part of Eden's history shows how communities, even small ones, played a role in important national events. The stories of the Underground Railroad highlight bravery and the fight for freedom.
