Salt Lake tour recounts influence of blacks

When most people think of Salt Lake City, diversity and black history generally aren't the first things that come to mind.

However, the influence of blacks on Salt Lake City has earned a prominent place in the area's history.

The Utah Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society gave a tour through Salt Lake City on Saturday, recognizing black history. Pastor France A. Davis of the Calvary Baptist Church and Ron Coleman, an associate professor of history at the University of Utah, narrated the tour and detailed the early arrival of blacks.

"Men of African descent traversed these lands more than 20 years before the pioneers," Coleman said.

James P. Beckworth, a free black man, trapped and traded with Jedediah Smith in the 1820s. He is believed to be one of the first black men in the West.

When Brigham Young reached the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, three black men accompanied him: Hark Lay, Oscar Crosby and Green Flake. Their names are etched into the bottom of the Brigham Young Monument on Temple Square.

The Buffalo Soldiers arrived at Fort Douglas in the fall of 1896. Several members are buried in the cemetery there.

"People don't understand how appreciated they were 100 years ago," said Su Richards, a guide at the Fort Douglas Museum.

Several other groups also made their mark on Salt Lake, including those who founded Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Calvary Baptist Church.

For many of the nearly 30 people on the tour, interest in black history prompted them to attend.

"I wanted to get a feel for the history of the African-American in Utah," said Virgil Allison, a Layton resident.

Allison said most people who are not from the Salt Lake area don't realize the amount of black history in the city.

The Utah Chapter of the AAHGS started up about a year ago. It focuses on black history and family history.

The AAHGS organized the tour in order for people to understand the influence of black history in Utah.

"It gives a more accurate picture of African-Americans in this state," said Phyllis Caruth, AAHGS president. "The tour is a way to get exposure to diversity."

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E-mail: csmith@desnews.com