All 29 Rockford Black History Month facts in one place
How much do you know about Rockford's Black history?
In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the Rockford Register Star partnered with the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room to bring readers a local Black history fact of the day.
Facts about Rockford's Black history were published daily at rrstar.com and in the Rockford Register Star. Here's a complete list in case you missed some.
Rockford's first Black resident was once a slave
In 1834, Lewis Lemon, who was once enslaved, became Rockford's inaugural Black resident. He went on to achieve success as a businessman until his passing at the age of 65 in Rockford in 1877.
Who was Rockford's first Black high school graduate?
In 1875, David Sumner became the first Black individual to graduate from Rockford Central High School.
What was Rockford's first Black church?
A Civil War veteran, Peter Blakely and his wife, Hattie, opened Allen Chapel AME Church in the home of Hattie’s mother, Maria Donnelly, in September 1891.
Who were some of first Black students at Rockford School of Business?
Lawson Richard, Lucille T. Howard, and Bernice Howard were among the first Black students to enroll at the Rockford School of Business in 1950.
Who founded Rockford's Booker T. Washington Center?
In 1916, Dr. Richard S. Grant founded the Colored Soldiers Club at 218 S. Main St. in Rockford. It later became the Colored Girls School and eventually became the Booker T. Washington Cultural Center.
Who founded Rockford's Black Theatre Ensemble?
In the 1970s, Dorothy Paige-Turner, a teacher and musician creates the Black Theatre Ensemble, putting on productions for youth throughout the city.
Sam Gaynor's career with Rockford police spanned 35 years
In a career spanning nearly 35 years, Sam Gaynor achieved the positions of the first Black sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief in the Rockford Police Department.
Dr. J.I. Parks opened Rockford's first Black dental practice
In the late 1940s, Dr. J.I. Parks made history by becoming the first Black dentist to serve patients in Rockford.
Who was Rockford's Anna Wilson?
In a landmark 1869 lawsuit, Anna Wilson, a Black female Rockford resident, challenged racial segregation on the Chicago and North Western Railway.
Few Black nurses worked at Rockford's Camp Grant
During World War I, Edna de Priest became one of the few Black nurses at Camp Grant in Rockford to attend to soldiers.
Who was Pilgrim Baptist's Eldridge Gilbert?
The Rev. Eldridge Gilbert, a nationally recognized civil rights activist, served as the pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church from 1944 to 1990.
Who was the first Black woman to graduate high school in Rockford?
In 1883, Bertha Wilson was one of the first Black women to graduate from Rockford’s Central High School.
What was Princess Zorah Chapter 20?
Founded in the 1890s, Princess Zorah Chapter 20 in Rockford served as a social organization dedicated to the well-being of Black families.
Who was Frances Robinson?
Frances Robinson, a civic leader, was the first Black person appointed to the Rockford Public Library Board in 1957.
Rockford's Dr. Eric Roberts used hypnosis during medical procedures
In October 1943, Dr. Eric G. Roberts, a graduate of Howard University's School of Medicine, arrived in Rockford.
Who was Rockford's George Washington Groomer?
A veteran of the renowned 102nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, George Washington Groomer settled in Rockford after the war, raising a family and working as a laborer.
Who was Rockford's John Briggs?
John Briggs, a Black World War I veteran and businessman, established the Briggs Hotel in Rockford, which became one of the few places where Black travelers could find lodging without facing discrimination.
This Rockfordian was a Hall of Fame gymnast
In 1968, Alexandra Nicholson kicked off her trampolining career in Rockford.
All Black CCC unit worked out of Durand
In 1935, during the Great Depression, a Civilian Conservation Corps program opened in the northwestern part of Winnebago County.
Who was Rockford's Christine Johnson?
In 1950, Christine Elizabeth Johnson became the first Black student nurse to be enrolled St. Anthony's Hospital.
What was Rockford's Liberty Homeowners League?
After facing numerous hurdles to purchase property and build homes, a group consisting of Black professionals formed the Rockford Liberty Homeowners League in 1949.
Who was Estelle May?
In 1950, Estelle May became the inaugural Black registered nurse on staff at St. Anthony Hospital.
What was the People Who Care lawsuit?
A group of minority residents determined to end discriminatory practices in Rockford Public Schools filed the "People Who Care" lawsuit in federal court in May 1989.
Who was Margie Sturgis?
In 1953, Margie Sturgis became Winnebago County's first black teacher.
Who Rockford's first Black mayor?
Charles Box served as the 37th mayor of the city of Rockford and was the city’s first Black mayor.
Have you ever heard of The Crusader?
Joseph Scott Saunders, Jr., the creator, publisher, reporter and photographer among other roles, founded The Crusader newspaper in the early 1950s.
The library at Rock Valley College is named after Estelle Black
Estelle Black was born and raised in Rockford, graduating from West High School.
Who is Rockford's first Black police chief?
Rockford native Carla Redd rose through the ranks of the Rockford Police Department to take the oath of office as Chief of Police on Aug. 31, 2021.
Who was Rockford's first Black judge?
K. Patrick Yarbrough, a lifelong Rockford resident, was named Winnebago County's first Black judge in 2007.
Want to learn more about Rockford's Black history? Visit the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room at rockfordpubliclibrary.org/local-history or in person at the Hart Interim Library, 214 N. Church St.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: All 29 Rockford Black History Month facts of the day
