Cities never mentioned in American History

It is a common misconception that Blacks had nothing during slavery. Furthermore, the plight of the African American people was hardly seen throughout history, which is weird; being as though, Blacks helped shape America. Not only through inventions, but through the conception of small towns, the ex-slaves were able to conceptualize the American dream.

Everyone has heard of Rosewood, Florida, where in 1923, Blacks were massacred due to racial violence. Yet, I don’t think that the truth is known about cities that spanned across the U.S. The cities that I am about to name were started by ex-slaves or sometimes free men. Without further ado:

1. Five Points District, New York , now wealthy part of lower Manhattan, or Wall Street was the site of the first Black settlement, and has been wiped from history. Yet there is a website called “the roots” that spoke on this very subject. From the 1830s to the 1860s, this town was known as a slum and went through many tumultuous events, until the citizens finally fled in 1863.

2. Seneca Falls Village, NY was between 82nd and 89^th street in Manhattan, between Seventh and Eighth avenues, another settlement of prominent Black property owners started a community and reached a population of 264 in 1857. Yet, with the development of Central Park, there history was erased.

3. Fort Mose, Florida was started in 1738, it was the home of the first Black settlement and was just north of St. Augustine. The Spanish king stated that any Black man that escaped to Florida would be free, just as long as he/she gave tribute to Spain and converted to Catholicism.

4. Weeksville, New York is known today as Bedford Stuyvesant , Brooklyn was the second largest black community in before the Civil War. A man by the name of James Weeks, a freed slave, bought land from Henry C Thompson, another freed slave. Mr. Weeks then made refuge for slaves escaping the oppression of slavery, or escaping race riots of inner city New York.

5. Greenwood, Oklahoma was known as “Black Wall Street” where Black businesses prospered and population flourished. Though The Blacks were segregated from the whites the land still thrived on its own economy and later fell victim to racial violence. All business and homes were burned down and its people massacred. Yet, there is no documentation that black slaves were on the “Trail of Tears”, or that until 1921, free slaves afforded themselves a great history in Oklahoma.

6. Freedman’s Village, Virginia was established in 1863. The federal government helped build this village on the Curtis and Lee estates. The legendary Sojourner Truth lived there and worked as a teacher. She also helped Blacks find employment. It only lasted until 1900 when it was closed by the government.

7. Allensworth, California was established in 1907 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and four others, and was the site of the first Black school and judicial system. Though it survived for a long time, it is preserved as a national park.

8. Freedman’s Town, Texas was known as Houston’s “Little Harlem” began in the 1860s, slaves purchased land and settled. Over a period of sixty years it thrived in a number of facets: theatres, jazz spots, and schools were only part of their society. Yet, the Great Depression wiped the community out. It is now a historic district.

9. David Bend, Mississippi was a former plantation owned by Joseph David. Mr.David basically let his slaves run his plantation and even allowed a slave to oversee everyone, his name was Benjamin Montgomery. After the war, David sold the plantation to Montgomery for $300,000 in gold. Though, Montgomery tried to make his community of 350 flourish, it eventually fell to its demise due to economic problems.

10. Muchakinock,Iowa was home to one of the largest coal mining firms in for 25 years(1875-1900). In 1880, the superintendent of Consolidated sent town officials to recruit Black laborers from other states. In 1900, the coal mines in Muchakinock were no longer prosperous, so Black that lived there moved to Buxton, Iowa.

Buxton, Iowa was a little different because it was not inhabited solely by Blacks. The Black population in Buxton greatly outnumbered everyone else, and Blacks held majority of important jobs. When the coal industry dried up there, natives deserted the town.

11. New Philadelphia, Illinois was a territory of a former slave named Frank McWhorter. It was one of the first cities to be started by a Black man before the Civil War. After buying freedom for himself and his family, McWhorter brought 42 acres of land. Though, intentions were good, New Philadelphia could not weather time and went under. New Philly has been a national landmark since 2009.

12. Pine Oak Colony,Illinois was a 480 acre township that was established under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The Northwest Ordinance was an act that led to Western Expansion and freed slaves. After the Civil War, Blacks left Pine Oak.

13. Blackdom, New Mexico was started by Frank and Ellla Louise Boyer in 1908 and only lasted until the 1920. Although, Blackdom was short-lived, the residents still managed to established school, churches, hotels and many more business.

There are so many unanswered questions about the mysterious presence of the African slaves, but one thing is for certain, there is an unspoken history. It raises new questions about where this part of American history is. Furthermore, American should know everything about their country and the true history behind where they live. Yet, it is sad because rather than making it a part of American History it has been hidden like Americans do not have the right to know the raw truth about these early natives, during the sunrise of this nation. Now that this information has been shared ,and you know the questions to ask, please research and ask.