York Underground RR Museum Dedicates New Casteel Statue

By Leon Reed · Originally published October 2022 · p. 6

York Underground RR Museum Dedicates New Casteel Statue by Leon Reed Sculptor Gary Casteel, best known for Gettysburg’s James Longstreet statue, watched with pride as the governor of Pennsylvania, mayor of York, and other dignitaries dedicated his most recent work, a statue of York businessman and Underground Railroad leader William Goodridge. The ceremony was the culmination of a project that started in July 2018, when Casteel visited the William Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum. They were thinking about a statue and were looking for ideas. Gary had some: “Human scale. Sitting, not standing. right on the sidewalk in front of the building. People want to interact with him, take a selfie.” The Goodridge Center people talked to a few other sculptors, asked for drawings, talked some more, and pretty soon Casteel was the only sculptor they were talking to. “When I researched Mr. Goodridge,” Casteel said, “I was blown away. When you consider the challenges he had to overcome and the things he accomplished, I can’t think of a more deserving subject.” Goodridge was born into slavery in Baltimore in 1806. Apprenticed to a York, Penn., tanner, he quickly learned the trade, and to read and write. He earned his freedom at age 16 and went on to become one of York’s most prominent businessmen. Starting with a one seat barbershop, he expanded his empire to include an emporium where he sold hair products, toys, perfumes, and fresh fruit from the Caribbean. He was also a major figure in the Underground Railroad, sometimes sheltering people in a special hideaway in his own home before moving them along the network. The ceremony took place on Friday, August 12. Participants included a group of Living Historians from York and nearby towns, a high school drumline and dance troupe, local elected officials, and citizens. Governor Wolf hailed the monument’s dedication as “a landmark moment for York… . We need to get these stories the attention they deserve; they help connect your present to a central piece of your past.” When the ceremony was over, the monument was unveiled … and just as Casteel said, they all, donors, Goodridge Center board members, and politicians, lined up, schedules momentarily forgotten, to get a selfie with Mr. Goodridge.

As a conductor and stationmaster on the Underground Railroad, William C. Goodridge (1806 – January 1, 1873), helped freedom seekers escape slavery. Born a slave in Baltimore, Md., he became a successful businessman and entrepreneur in York, Pennsylvania, then risked it all to help others. This mural about Goodridge is on West Market Street in York, Penn. This 24 feet wide and 23 feet tall mural about Goodridge is on West Market Street in York, Penn. It was completed by Don and Jared Gray in June 2000. The mural features the grown and successful Goodridge in the center, with his advertisement behind him for the Goodridge Building on Centre Square. The square where the building was once the first 5-story building in York is a few blocks East, past the mural, at the intersection of Market and George. Also shown on the mural are a railroad car, representing the 13 rail cars Goodridge owned, a barbershop pole, and pictures of Goodridge as a babe in his mother’s arms, and as a young boy. Photo by Anne Gray. Sculptor Gary Casteel with his wife, Suzanne.