HomeMy WebLinkAboutR2003-019S:\Our DocumentskResolutions\03\Solomon Hill Historic Marker.doc
RESOLUTION NO. r~7~ ~)3-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF
A HISTORIC MARKER THAT RECOGNIZES HISTORIC BLACK COMMUNITIES OF
DENTON, INCLUDING FREEDMAN'S TOWN AND QUAKERTOWN, AND TO
RECOGNIZE THE CREATION OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN SOLOMON HILL
AFTER THE QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY WAS DISPERSED BY THE CREATION OF
WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE CIVIC CENTER PARK; AUTHORIZING THE
PLACEMENT OF THE MARKER ON CITY PROPERTY; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in the early 1900's the community of Quakertown and Freeman's Town
were the heart of the black community in Denton; and
WHEREAS, the Quakertown community was dispersed due to the efforts to create a city
park upon the site of Quakertown; and
WHEREAS, the black community relocated near Freedman's Town in an area known as
Solomon Hill, which continues to be the heart of the black community in Denton; and
WHEREAS, the council has recognized the historical importance of Quakertown and the
dispersal of its residents by placing a marker in the Civic Center Park; and
WHEREAS, the council recognizes that the subsequent relocation of the black
community near Freedman's Town in Solomon Hill is also an important historical milestone in
the history of Denton; and
WHEREAS, the recognition of Freedman's Town, Quakertown and the relocation to the
Solomon Hill area would help complete and bring closure to this historic event; and
WHEREAS, the funds has been raised to create a historic marker recognizing these
historic black communities and that a convenient and appropriate site for the marker would be
upon city property near the Martin Luther King Recreation Center; and,
WHEREAS, the Historic Landmark Commission unanimously supported the creation and
placement of a historic marker on May 5, 2003 ( 7-0); and
WHEREAS, the council believes it serves a pubhc purpose to support the creation of the
historic marker and to allow its placement upon a site near the Martin Luther King Recreation
Center, NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY RESOLVES:
SECTION 1: The City of Denton supports the creation of a historic marker recognizing
the "Historic Black Communities" in substantially the same form as represented in Exhibit "A"
which is attached and incorporated herein as if written word for word.
SECTION 2: That after the marker is created the City of Denton authorizes the
placement of the historic marker at the location indicated in Exhibit "B".
SECTION 3: That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and approval.
2003.
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT
J
HISTORI(: BL, AC:K C OMM:UNIT:IES
IN NOVEMBER 18~5, 27-F~ORMER, SLAVES FROM:WHITE :ROCK
COMMU;NltY in DALLAS' MOVED TO E)ENTON-iC~)iL~i~TY,AND]
ESTABLISHED a SMAll COMMUNITY KNOWN AS FREeDM'AN"S
TOWN APPROXI.M:ATELY WHERE THE MARTIN' LLJTHER KINGi JR.
RECREATION CENTER AND'TOM,AS RIVERA'ELEMiE-N,TARY,SCHOOL
EXIST T0[~A~Y. LATEr~ ~AMILIES BEGAN BUYING LANDr-To the
NORTH AND DEVELOPED A COMMUNITY KNOWN AS Q.UAKERTOWN
ON THE SITE WHERe C'I~]C CENTER PARK~.STANDS
FORD;CRAWFORD~ ONE.OF'THE ORIGLN'AL FREEDM:AN[S TOWN
SETTLERS) OPENED'A GENER;AiL STORe IN QU~A:KERTOW, N. 'H,l~ S. QN
BERT CRAWF:ORD RAN THE MORTUARY. HENRY MADI~OX
SEVERAL RESIDENTIAL LOTS IN QUAKERTOWN AND;OPE-RATED~
A BOARDING HOUSE. THE THRIVING COMMUNITY INCLUDED
A SCHOOL, CHURCHES, EATING EST'ABL1SH~MEN~S AND OTHER
B US I-N ESS ES ·
IN THee E.a:Rl~¥ 1900~ A CAMPAIGN bEGan TO REMOVe
QUAKERTOWN AND' TU R N' tht,E ARea INTO A CITY'"PARK'.. ~F~ER
BONDS FOR A PARK WERE:'APPROVED IN 19:21~ T. HE'EXO~LIS
BEGAN. soME~BLACK ~-AMILIES~LE. ImT DENitON.:OTHERS:RETI~RNED
tO ThE.aRE~ AROUND FREEDMAn TOWN WHERE A.L~ .M~ILES HAD
PLATTED 35 ACRES,KNOWN AS SOLOMON HILL as HOME SitES'
THE DISPLACED BLACKS. SOLOMON Hill EN'COMPASSED:AN. A'R.I~
that LAtE, R BECAM!E'KNOWN AS SOUTHEAST DeNTFoN= I.NCLUDING
ThE'H.lLl WHER'E FRED;MOORE SCHOOL NOW,STANDS. ~J~J~-E~:AREA
HAS REM'AINEO THE HISTOR C HEART DF BI~ACK:COM~M'UNITIES l'N
DENTON.
EXHIBIT
Wilson street
Parking Area
t
Main
Entrance
Proposed
Marker
LocatiOn
Ma: ,LuSh