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The presence of African Americans in California dates from the days of Spain and Mexico. By the time California entered the Union, African Americans comprised a small but vital community. They mined, farmed and operated businesses. They were, however, denied most civil rights in the pre–Civil War years. After the war, the population grew slowly, but African Americans still encountered prejudice and hostility.
The number of African Americans in California increased dramatically following the turn of the 20th century. Although old patterns of prejudice persisted, Africans Americans advanced in politics, business, sports and entertainment. School segregation and discrimination in housing were banned, but problems of unemployment, underemployment and racism continue to be addressed in the African American community.
The documents presented here are drawn from a small exhibit prepared for the Second Annual West Coast Summit on African American Genealogy held at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento on June 15, 2002. They represent a sample of the records relating to African American history in the California State Archives.
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Although admitted to the Union as a "free" state in 1850, two years later California adopted a law to return "runaway" slaves to their masters. The case of Robert and Carter Perkins and Sandy Jones was the first to challenge the new law before the California Supreme Court. The court ruled in favor of the slave owners, but the case marked an initial coming together of African American and white Californians in opposition to the fugitive slave law.
"Fugitive Slave Case," 1852
State Supreme Court, Case Files
WPA 3285
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
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A prominent physician and businessman in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Peter Price Cobbs led an unsuccessful attempt to establish an African-American owned and operated hospital there in the 1940s.
"Peter Cobb Application," 1923
State Board of Medical Examiners
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
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Following the Civil War a number of attempts were made to settle African-Americans on lands in the west. One such venture occurred in Fresno County in the early 1890s. It involved promoters from the San Francisco Bay area, Fresno and Waco, Texas.
"Colored Colonization Association of Fresno," 1891
Secretary of State, Articles of Incorporation
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
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California's best known African-American settlement, Allensworth, was established in Tulare County by Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth and his associates in 1908. The Colonel's death six years later and difficulties in securing a dependable water supply led to the community's decline in the 1920s. Today, Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park pays tribute to these pioneers.
"Allensworth Envelope," 1912
AC-95-12-31(i)
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
More Resources:
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Friends of Allensworth
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Born in Ohio, Frederick M. Roberts was a great-grandson of Sally Hemings. He grew up in Los Angeles and became a prominent publisher and mortician. Roberts won election to the State Assembly as a Republican from the mostly white 74th Assembly District in 1919, making him California's first African-American legislator. He served in the Assembly until his defeat in 1934 by another African-American politician, Democrat Augustus F. Hawkins.
"California Blue Book," 1924
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
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Colorfornia magazine premiered in 1952, a project of San Francisco entrepreneurs W. G. and Pauline Steele.
"Colorfornia," 1952
Secretary of State, Trademarks
TM 34606
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
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In 1866, the California State Legislature voted to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery.
"Joint Resolution #1," 1866
State Legislature
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
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