The African American pioneers of Julian
JULIAN, Calif. (KGTV) — Julian is nestled in San Diego County’s northeastern mountains.
At this time, it is identified for its apple pies and small-town attraction, however how the world got here to be is deeply rooted in Black historical past.
“All of it begins with this man right here, Fred Coleman. He was a Black man from Kentucky,” mentioned David Lewis.
Lewis’ household has lived in Julian for 5 generations. He wrote the guide African American Pioneers — Julian, California.
Primarily based on county tax information, Lewis mentioned Coleman was in Julian as early as 1863, earlier than the city was based in 1870.
Take into accout this was in the course of the Civil Battle.
“Fred, being a Black man from Kentucky, would possible have been enslaved, so how is he right here in California operating round on his personal?” Lewis mentioned.
He believes the Civil Battle led many emigrate to the West seeking a greater life.
In response to native lore, Coleman was crossing the creek at some point and stopped to feed his horse when he appeared down and noticed one thing that resembled gold.
“Fred needed to have identified what he was , which tells me he was in all probability in northern California first on the gold rush up there,” Lewis mentioned.
Quickly, the phrase bought out and led to a gold rush in San Diego County.
Nevertheless, Lewis mentioned what was extra essential than Coleman discovering gold was that he constructed the primary actual street into Julian with assist from Native People.
“That was the best way freight got here in, and gold went again out to be bought,” he mentioned.
Across the nook from the museum on Important St. is the Julian Gold Rush Resort, previously referred to as Resort Robinson.
It was based by former slave Albert Robinson and his spouse, Margaret.
The yr the resort was constructed is a bit controversial.
For a very long time, individuals assumed it was in 1897, in response to household information of an area contractor.
However Lewis believes it was really in 1902 primarily based on newspaper articles round that point.
“I discovered one other article in April 1902 that claims Albert Robinson is setting up a brand new resort in Julian. It’s going to be accomplished and prepared for occupation in a number of months,” Lewis mentioned.
It wasn’t the one resort on the town, however the one one owned by Black individuals. Nonetheless, the Robinsons have been capable of make a residing off the enterprise for a few years.
“You’ve got bought a Black couple in an all-White city that decides they’ll make it,” Lewis mentioned.
Albert Robinson died in 1915 and was buried within the Julian Pioneer Cemetery together with three different African People, together with Martha Boyd (Margaret’s daughter) and Susan Tull (Margaret’s mom).
“Martha died when she was about 18 years outdated. The identical yr Margaret’s mom died,” Lewis mentioned.
America Newton can be buried there.
“She established a washing enterprise for the miners and the townspeople,” Lewis mentioned.
Newton got here to Julian in 1872.
Lewis, who’s additionally a board member of the Julian Pioneer Cemetery, mentioned he observed Newton’s gravestone whereas creating a brand new map for the cemetery.
“It was assumed this was a whites-only cemetery,” Lewis mentioned.
Information present the graves have been beneath Margaret’s care.
As for Margaret, her story runs dry after she bought the resort in 1920 and left city.
“I believe she bought 1500 {dollars} for it,” Lewis mentioned.
However, the present homeowners made certain to protect its historic integrity with unique fixtures and pictures of Albert and Margaret on the partitions.
Lewis mentioned Albert and Margaret’s story is his favourite.
“Nicely, to suppose they made all of it the best way from slavery to enterprise homeowners on this city and have been profitable… by Julian’s requirements, profitable,” he mentioned.
Lewis’s guide on the African American Pioneers of Julian will be discovered on the Julian Guide Home and Julian Museum.
