• Introduction
• The Underground Railroad
• Secret Signals
• The Underground Railroad Quilt Code Patterns
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The Underground Railroad Quilt Code Patterns
	Monkey Wrench Prepare the tools you’ll need for the long journey, including the mental and spiritual tools. Or (as a Ship’s Wheel), the pilot is prepared to begin the transport.
	Wagon Wheel Load the wagon or prepare to board the wagon to begin the escape.
	Bear’s Paw Take a mountain trail, out of view. Follow the path made by bear tracks; they can lead you to water and food.
	Crossroads Refers to Cleveland, Ohio, a destination offering several routes to freedom. It also signifies reaching a point where a person’s life will change, so one must be willing to go on.
	Log Cabin A secret symbol that could be drawn on the ground indicating that a person is safe to talk to. It also advises seeking shelter.
	Shoofly Possibly identifies a friendly guide who is nearby and can help.
	Bowtie Dress in a disguise, or put on a change of clothes.
	Flying Geese Points to a direction to follow, such as where geese would fly during spring migration.
	Drunkard’s Path Create a zig-zag path, do not walk in a straight line, to avoid pursuers in this area.
	Star Follow the North Star. Worked in conjunction with the popular song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” a reference to the Big Dipper constellation.

(Adapted from Ozella McDaniel Williams, as reported in “Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad” by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard. Published by Doubleday in 1999. Softcover edition by First Anchor Books, 2000.)