DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — DeKalb County historians are celebrating sites that housed runaway slaves 170 years ago.

The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reports that historical markers have been dedicated at three sites to signify spots on the Underground Railroad where abolitionists broke 19th Century law to help slaves escape to Canada.

The two-yearlong project was started by Barry Schrader and local historian Steve Bigolin. Schrader is chairman of the landmarks committee for the DeKalb County Historical-Genealogical Society.

Harlen Persinger attended the dedications on Saturday. He is the great-great-grandson of Underground Railroad conductor Deacon David West.

Nancy Beasley wrote in her book about the Underground Railroad in DeKalb County that West’s Sycamore farmhouse was a stop from 1843 to 1859.

Other sites noted are the Mayfield Congregational Church in Sycamore and the Somonauk United Presbyterian Church.