The “race colony”–a chattel slavery era utopia–though this description may allude to a fictional land, black towns and settlements emerged and existed throughout the country in the turbulent 19th century America. This research project dives into the suppressed history of black place-making, beginning with a recollection of these settlements throughout the United States, focusing on Eatonville, FL and the state of Oklahoma as case studies. The town of Eatonville narrates a tale of social victories unparalleled to the socio and political climate of its time. African-American settlers had great aspirations for the state of Oklahoma, advocating for its inclusion into the Union as a Black State; with a record number of settlements established, its history left a permanent imprint on the social and urban fabric of America.
Black Towns and Settlements by State
Alaska
Dempsey
Alabama
Southern Improvement: Macon County
Small Farms: Limestone County
Cedarlake: Morgan County
Hobson City: Near Anniston
Greenwood Village: Macon County
Mason City: Near Birmingham
Plateau: Near Mobile
Shepherdsville: Dallas County
Baldwin Farms: Macon County
Benson: Elmore County
Moffatt
Arkansas
Blackville
Lakeview
McGhee
Mitchellville
Jefferson Davis
Peace
Thomasville
Tollette
Allport
Biscoe
Edmondson
Gould
California
Allensworth
Beulah
Beckwourth
Negro Bar
Nigger Tent
Negro Slide
African Bar
Nigger Hill
Kentucky Ridge
Nigger Heaven
Albia
Bowles
Victorville
Furlong Tract
Colorado
Dearfield
Manzanola Colony
Nigger Hill
Connecticut
Black Star
Gungywamp
Mystery Hill
Delaware
Little Hell
Charley Town
New Discovery
Polktown
Belltown
Star Hill
Florida
Eatonville
Rosewood
Adderleyville
Fort Mose
New Monrovia (West Palm Beach)
Georgia
Archery: Sumter County
Burroughs: Chatham County
Cannonville: Troup County
Greenough: Mitchell county
Odd Fellow City: Near Macon
Leroy: burke County
Hawaii
Waikiki
Idaho
Rhodes Creek
Illinois
Chicago
Stites
Robbins
Brooklyn
New Philadelphia
Indiana
Bassett: Howard County
Cabin Creek: Randolph
Greenville: Randolph
Lost Creek: Vigo County
Roberts: Hamilton County
Weaver: Grant County
Iowa
Buxton
Kansas
Singleton’s Colony
Dunlap Colony
Morton City
Nicodemus
Rattlebone Hollow
Mississippi Town
Hoggstown
Wabusee Colony
Quindaro
Tennessee Town
The Bottoms
Summit Township
Daniel Votaw Colony
Little Coney Colony
Juniper Town
David City Colony
Mud Town
Redmonsville
Burlington
Richie’s Addition
Hodgeman County Colony
Groves Center
Scuffletown
Kentucky
Hall
Estill’s Station
Coes Ridge
New Zion
Louisiana
Bobtown
Washington
Mossville
St. Maurice
Tuxedo Junction
Frilot Cove
Lawtell
Plaisance
Maine
Bailey Island
Horse (now Harbor Island)
Malaga Island
Maryland
Highland Beach
Brentwood
Lincoln: (near Washington D.C.)
Fairmont Heights
Massachusetts
Parting Ways
Michigan
Calvin Township: Cass County
Idlewild
Marlborough
Mississippi
Davis Bend
Mound Bayou
Renova
Winstonville
New Africa
Des Velente
Expose: Marion County
Mt. Carmel
Port Gibson
Missouri
Three Creeks
Namrash
Cow Creek: Saline County
Nebraska
Overton
Dewitty 1907
Brownlee
New Hampshire
Coit Mountain
New Mexico
Blackdom
New York
Sandy Ground
North Carolina
Princeville
James City
Hayti
Beech Bottoms
Little California
Sedalia
North Dakota
Darky Spring
Lithia
Oklahoma
Boley
Douglas City
Bookertee
Earlsboro
Grayson
Langston
Haney
Clearview
Rusk
Liberty
Chase
Tullahassee
Ferguson
Foreman
Arkansas Colored
Bailey
Canadian Colored
Mantu
Porter
Taft
Redbird
Rentiesville
Tatums
Pennsylvania
Darby
Lincoln
South Carolina
Booker
Washington Heights
Lincolnville
Tennessee
Hortense
New Bedford
Texas
Four Dice
Andy
Booker
Mill City
Kendleton
Independence Heights
Oldham
Roberts
Union City
Denton
Virginia
Truxton
Titustown
Ocean Grove
Hare Valley
Almargo
Coardtown
Jonesboro
Washington
Centralia
Bush Prairie
West Virginia
Institute
Tinkersville
Wisconsin
Cheyenne Valley
Pleasant Ridge
Bibliography
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