By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – 
A secluded spot on the Mississippi River in north St. Louis is getting a place of honor in history. On that point 150 years ago, a group of runaway slaves made a desperate voyage across the river in search of their freedom.
On Saturday, officials will gather there to break ground on a new memorial that tells the story of that event. But they also have a larger vision in mind.
As KWMU's Kevin Lavery reports, they're hoping the first verified Underground Railroad site in Missouri will help St. Louis re-invent its image as a gateway city.
To hear Kevin's story, click on the listen' icon above.
To see a rendering of plans for the site, click here.