Explore historic sites commemorating Black history in Alaska
The legacies of influential Black Americans have not always been acknowledged, so it's not uncommon that modern-day residents may overlook the historic sites of their own cities.
While some historical Black figures in the U.S. are more well-known than others, there are in fact thousands of people dating back generations to 17th-century slavery who left traces of their visions and impacts all across the country. Whether prominent figures such as Robert Abbott, who founded one of the largest African American newspapers in the country, or more under-the-radar originators such as Obrey Wendell Hamlet, who cultivated unique vacation experiences in the Rocky Mountains, one thing's for certain: There is far more uncharted Black history in this country than charted.
Stacker identified historic sites commemorating Black history across 47 states, using the National Register of Historic Places. North Dakota, Vermont, Hawaii, and Wyoming did not have Black historic sites listed on the registry. While some states, especially in the South, are home to many sites central to the civil rights movement, Stacker listed the total sites in every state and the names of three historic sites where available. You can visit the full registry of 232 historic sites and explore the Civil Rights Trail to learn about additional locations across the U.S.
Read on to explore and learn about the historic sites celebrating Black history in your state, or read the national story here.
Alaska by the numbers
- Sites commemorating Black history: 1 (0 with state significance, 0 with national significance)
- Greater Friendship Baptist Church (Anchorage)
Founded in 1951, Greater Friendship Baptist Church was the first Black American church established in Alaska. Prior to World War II, Anchorage had a small African American community, but by the 1950s, the Black population in Anchorage rose to as many as 5,000 people.
Continue reading to see which sites commemorate Black history in other states in your area.
Washington
- Sites commemorating Black history: 2 (0 with state significance, 0 with national significance)
- Cooper, Frank B., Elementary School (Seattle)
- Mount Zion Baptist Church (Seattle)
Dating back to 1890, Mount Zion Baptist Church is the oldest Black church and largest Black congregation in Washington state. The architectural structure of the church even holds significance; it is designed as huts in Africa to resemble a close, community feel. The church still holds worship services on Sunday mornings and bible study during the week.
Idaho
- Sites commemorating Black history: 2 (0 with state significance, 0 with national significance)
- St Paul Missionary Baptist Church (Boise)
- East Side Downtown Historic District (Pocatello)
The East Side Downtown Historic District saw developments as a multiethnic neighborhood as early as the 1880s due to railroad work opportunities. Ethnic businesses were doing well but by 1940, these businesses were seen as "undesirable." After World War II, the Pocatello Housing Authority alongside the Chamber of Commerce decided to rebuild the area for commercial use.
