February is Black History Month
Black history in Idaho is complex and encompasses a wide range of topics. Historically, the presence of Blacks in Idaho has been limited, with African Americans comprising less than 1% of the state's population in the early 21st century and yet Black individuals have played a significant role in shaping the state's history and culture.
The first Black presence in Idaho was a slave named York who served as translator and mediator accompanying the Lewis and Clark expedition. It wasn’t until the California Gold Rush of the 1850s that the more documented instances of Black Americans were recorded, including James Beckwourth, a former slave and mountain man, who traveled to Idaho in search of gold. Beckwourth is known for being the first European-American to discover Beckwourth Pass, a key route through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Despite these early contributions, in 1863, Boise County passed a law excluding Blacks and Chinese from prospecting and, in 1865, introduced a bill prohibiting all black migration to the state.
Black people also played a role in the development of Idaho’s mining industry.
William Rhodes, a successful miner from California, came to Idaho in 1860, developed a silver ore mining operation in the Clearwater region of the Bitterroots, and amassed $80,000 in diggings before he died in 1886. Although African American miners faced discrimination and segregation in the mines and in the surrounding communities, they were able to make significant contributions to the mining industry and to the local economy.
During World War II, Black workers were recruited to work in Idaho's agriculture and timber industries. The presence of these workers led to the establishment of several Black communities in the state, such as the town of Deary. The settlement began as a waystation on the road to the forests at Bovill, Idaho. Owned by two African-Americans, Joe and Lou Wells, the waystation location was first called "Spud Hill", and then "Anderson" before finally being renamed “Deary” when the railroad was extended to that point. In 1907 the town was officially founded and named for William Deary, a white businessperson in the lumber industry.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Civil Rights Movement led to significant changes for Black people in Idaho. Activists worked to end discrimination in education, housing, and employment. Laws were passed to ensure equal rights for all citizens, and Black people were able to participate more fully in the political process. In 1973, Dr. Thomas “Les” Purce was the first Black man to serve in public office when he was elected to Pocatello City Council. He went on to be the city’s first Black mayor in 1976. He then earned a position as Director of Idaho’s Department of Administration and rounded out his career as Director of the Department of Health and Welfare. Dr. Purce’s work on environmental issues in the state of Idaho benefits us to this day.
Regardless of these gains, Black people in Idaho continue to face challenges, including racial disparities in education, employment and health care. In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on addressing these issues and promoting racial equity in the state. Organizations such as the Urban League of Idaho and the Idaho Black History Museum work to educate the public about black history and culture and to advocate for social justice.
Black history in Idaho is a rich and diverse tapestry of experiences and contributions. Although the presence of Black people in the state has been limited, their impact has been significant. It is crucial to remember that we are only enriched and our shared history more compelling when we recognize and celebrate the contributions made by all who came before us, not just a few.
For more information, go online to Idaho Black History Museum at idbhm.org.