The Underground Railroad began In the middle part of the 1800's and was an Intricate network of routes, trails, safe-houses and hideouts along which volunteer "conductors" helped slaves to escape the plantation, and become free. It often invloved dangerous travel over land, mountains, lakes, and rivers. The Underground Railroad used a complex system of communication between the slaves, Masons, Abolitionists, ship captains, ministers, writers, blacksmiths, and free African-Americans. This form of communication is now known as The Underground Railroad Quilt Pattern Code.