Memorial Ceremony Set for Julian’s Black Pioneers

Steve Ballinger with photos of Margaret and Albert Robinson.

By Ruth Lepper

David Lewis and Valorie Ashley are spearheading plans for headstones to be placed on at least four of Julian’s black pioneers’ graves, along with a special plaque to commemorate their importance to the history of Julian.

The committee working with Lewis and Ashley selected Feb. 5, the first weekend in the nationally recognized Black History Month, as the date for the ceremony.

“The event will be a fitting start to Black History Month 2006 and a fitting beginning to a renewed interest in the rich history of our town,” Lewis said.

Special recognition will be paid to black pioneers Margaret and Albert Robinson, who started the Hotel Robinson in 1897 and which is now the Julian Gold Rush Hotel and the oldest continuously operated hotel in Southern California; Fred Coleman, who made the first gold discovery here in 1869; and America Newton, a laundress who owned 80 acres in Wynola.

They were among the 33 blacks reportedly living in the Julian area when the 1880 census was taken. A total of 55 blacks lived in San Diego County at that time.

Headstones will be unveiled at Julian Haven of Rest Cemetery at the graves of Albert Robinson and American Newton, as well as Susan Tull, Margaret Robinson’s mother, and Martha Boyd, Margaret Robinson's daughter.

Lewis, historian for Julian Cemetery District, said the grave markers for Albert Robinson and America Newton were discovered in January 2005, “found to be hiding in plain sight.” He located the markers, which are about the size of a brick, while walking through the cemetery in search of the graves.

Later research determined the location of the graves for Tull and Boyd. Margaret Robinson is believed to be buried in Los Angeles. It is not known where Coleman was buried. Efforts to research further into the local cemetery records will continue, Lewis said. Most of the cemetery record were destroyed by fire in the 1950s at the home of the cemetery superintendent where the records were stored.

Several of Coleman’s descendants are expected to attend the ceremony, Lewis said. He has been in contact with the family members and expressed their excitement about the recognition being given to their ancestor.

The observance will start at 2 p.m. in the cemetery, then move to Pioneer Park, located next to Julian Pioneer Museum, where a plaque will be unveiled by Julian Historical Society.

Festivities will then continue at the society's headquarters, the former county library that was housed in the Witch Creek School, for a reception hosted by the historical society. The old school was moved in the 1970s from its original location in Witch Creek to a site adjacent to the park.

Working on the committee with Lewis and Ashley, who is the owner of Villa de Valor/Hildreth House Bed and Breakfast, are: Steve Ballinger, owner of Julian Gold Rush Hotel; Chuck Ambers, director of Casa Del Rey Moro Museum in San Diego; and Jacqueline Beck, president of San Diego County Genealogy Association and a noted historian from Ramona.

Photo by Amber Ward