El Dorado Chamber of Commerce ~ Negro Hill Memorial Monument

Media Advisory: Request to Remove “Nigger” from 36 Grave Markers

Dr. Ralph White (209) 271-2466, President, Stockton Black Leadership Council
Michael Harris (916) 997-2451, Director, Negro Hill Burial Ground Project

Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 9:00 a.m.
El Dorado County Board of Supervisors ~ Public Forum
330 Fair Play Lane, Placerville, CA 95667

Negro Hill, Placer County was established in 1848 by people of African descent during the Gold Rush era. Many leaders were deeply religious abolitionists from Massachusetts who were concerned with civic responsibility, equal opportunity and freedom, high above the confluence of the North and South Fork of the American River.

Today, a few living residents who attended Negro Hill School are still alive and join our international supporters to share the early golden legacy of people of African descent, Negro Hill, California Gold Rush Era, (1840 - 1865.)

In 1856, Negro Hill, CA was the regional center of the Gold Mining District. Black agriculture production utilized the most pristine water supply in America to sustain the foundation of a healthy regional economic community that attracted a culturally diverse population in the region to include: Miwok, Maidu, Mexican, Chinese, Russian, Mormon, Chilean, Italian, German and people of African Descent who created a unique early multi-ethnic region known as Negro Hill, California. Today, the notion of even considering Black Agriculture is a fierce battle.

Beginning in 1857, and the Dred Scott Case Supreme Court decision supported racist Federal, State and Local laws that created a climate where many people of African descent migrated to British Columbia, Canada. Many strong leaders remained and helped lead the California Colored Convention Movement toward justice for all residents of the Great State of California.

Today, remnants of systemic institutional racism remain a short 25 miles from the California State Capitol, 36 grave markers read,
Unknown, moved from Nigger Hill Cemetery by the U.S. Government in 1954.

The El Dorodo Chamber of Commerce and regional business interests are asked to support our request of El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to support the removal of the word “Nigger” from the 36 grave markers that our U.S. Government placed in the care of El Dorado County. California State Landmark #570 could be restored and supported while an appropriate Negro Hill Memorial Monument worthy of recognition by the U.S. Federal Register of Historic Places.