Leidesdorff Ranch - Ancient Future Celebration of Public Transportation

Leidesdorff Ranch -
“Ancient Future” Celebration of Public Transportation

October 1844, Leidesdorff Ranch was developed by the Honorable William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. “African Founding Father of California” as a major agricultural enterprise with government contracts with the U.S. Headquarters of the Tenth Military Department while he maintained peaceful harmony with the indigenous Maidu Nisenan, speaking a common ancestral language.

Today, we celebrate our ‘ancient future’ expansion of “Light Rail” to the City of Folsom and call attention to the fact that every inch of rail used in the expansion of our transportation infrastructure has occurred on historic Leidesdorff Ranch. The Folsom Line terminates on top of Leidesdorff Lid, just prior to crossing the American River at historic Negro Bar, downstream from the historic community of Negro Hill.

First railroad west of the Mississippi River, the Sacramento Valley Railroad, followed a nearly identical path according to a 1854 survey map, drawn by chief engineer T.D. Judah, which clearly identifies the major regional assets of Sacramento County.

Why should the positive historic contributions of people of African ancestry be a featured component of the expansion of Light Rail to the modern City of Folsom?

The City of Folsom has a reputation of disparaging treatment toward people of African ancestry based largely upon the legacy of a cold and dreary cultural environment germinating from Folsom Prison. A song made famous by Johnny Cash, Folsom Prison Blues, recounts his days of incarceration at the menacing stone structure. Folsom Prison Cemetery speaks to the ultimate effect of mis-education.

A near 50% failure rate to properly educate current African American students of Sacramento County and similar dismal rates for other ethnic groups could mandate many to visit Folsom Prison and/or another of California Penal Institutions as long term inmates, further alienation, isolation and mis-education.

A communicated fear by some residents and business owners of the historic Folsom District on how to interact with African American youth and other ethnic groups with a human curiosity to explore their natural environment is an opportunity to positively bring people together, on common ground.

May 1966, Leidesdorff Plaza was dedicated by the Negro Museum and Library Association of Sacramento, led by Mr. Joe Larson. A majestic fountain and scenic park were highlighted by historical markers of the Pony Express, Sacramento Valley Railroad and Leidesdorff Ranch, hopefully these elements return and showcase the positive contribution of people of African Ancestry as a mutually beneficial point of respect and reverence that brings people together.

Unfortunately, the recent examples of Gold Rush Days 2005, historic Black Culture Day, California State Fair 2005, California Admission Day 2005 and announced plans for the Grand Opening of the Folsom Line demonstrate a desire to uniquely exclude our contribution toward the forward flow of humanity and alienate our historic authenticity as it relates to demonstrating to all citizens the positive contributions of people of African ancestry.

The ongoing bold and courageous bipartisan leadership of our elder statesmen Dave Cox, Mervyn Dymally, and Darrell Steinberg whom help facilitate the establishment of the William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. Memorial Highway, as a first step, to encourage a broader recognition and desire towards preservation and restoration of an authentic legacy of Leidesdorff Ranch.

There is no greater story of the California Gold Rush than the golden legacy of the wealthiest man person in 1848 California, Honorable William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. “African Founding Father of California.”

Leidesdorff Ranch Project
Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association
P.O. Box 5071
Sacramento, California 95817
(916) 220-5320
Leidesdorffproject [at] yahoo.com