Negro Hill Burial Ground Project ~ UN International Year for People of African Descent

Today is the 50th Anniversary of the formal transfer of Mormon Island Relocation Cemetery signed by the Secretary of the Army to El Dorado County Board of Supervisor Chair. Clearly then or today the notion of Unknown, Moved from Nigger Hill Cemetery by U.S. Government in 1954 was the unofficial work of a still unknown source. Together, we will restore dignity and respect for all the California Gold Rush Pioneers in Mormon Island Relocation Cemetery, this 2011 United Nations International Year for People of African Descent.


Sacramento, California ~ Now is the time for all Federal, State and Regional Government Officials to demand removal of the word “Nigger” from all 36 Grave Markers.

Together, we will restore dignity and respect to the early pioneers of African descent in the Great State of California.

Bishop Ron Allen (916) 807-1210, President, International Faith Based Coalition
Dr. Ralph White (209) 271-2466, President, Stockton Black Leadership Council
Michael Harris (916) 997-2451, Director, Negro Hill Burial Ground Project

Thursday, May 12, 11:00 a.m.
Sacramento Valley Railroad Station, 5th Street and I Street,
Downtown Sacramento

Sacramento, CA ~ Negro Hill was established in 1848 by people of African descent during the Gold Rush era. Many leaders were deeply religious abolitionists who were concerned with civic responsibility, equal opportunity and freedom who came together high above the confluence of the North and South Fork of the American River to firmly establish a golden legacy by people of African descent in the California Gold Rush Era.

By 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.

California Governor Leland Stanford was a grocery clerk in Negro Hill, practicing civic responsibility in the Civil Usage House of Negro Hill. E.B. Crocker and the Crocker Anglo National Bank had a prominent presence in the financial district of Gold Rush Mining District. E.B. Crocker gave the eulogy for President Abraham Lincoln after his untimely assignation and actively supported equal justice under the law for people of African descent.

In 1863, Chief Engineer Theodore Judah of the Sacramento Valley Railroad submitted his report highlighting a route via the ridge through the Negro Hill community along the American River Basin during the U.S. Civil War while the region was annexed from Placer County to El Dorado County.

Today, about 25 miles from the California State Capitol, 36 grave markers read,
Unknown, moved from Nigger Hill Cemetery by the U.S. Government in 1954.

Newly released documents from the Army Corps of Engineers show the 50th anniversary of the contractual agreement notarized by the Secretary of the Army and Chair of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors. Today, we hope to facilitate a written plan towards making an official request to the appropriate U.S. Government officials to remove of the word “Nigger” from all 36 grave markers.

We seek the active support from the international community to restore California State Landmark #570, Negro Hill, CA and economic resources necessary to establish a prestigious Negro Hill Memorial Monument and educational center to highlighting the contributions by people of African Descent in the Gold Rush California.

~ 30 ~