Springfield-Greene County African American Heritage Trail

African-American Heritage Trail marks significant moments in the city’s history

The mission of the heritage trail is to continue to research and publish previously undocumented history and to involve the Springfield community in the identification and celebration of the contributions made by people of color to the community. In pursuit of that goal, the trail’s initial sites will follow along the Jordan Creek Greenway trail, The Link, and signs directing people to other significant markers from the Jordan Creek Greenway trail. The attached map shows existing and proposed locations. 

The African American Heritage Trail  will follow the Jordan Creek Greenway trail that runs near several of important sites, such as the Sherman Avenue Corridor, the former Lincoln High School, (Springfield’s black high school before integration, now known as Ozarks Technical Community College’s Lincoln Hall,) Jones Alley Business District, and the Historic Church Quadrangle (Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Benton Avenue AME Church, Gibson Chapel Presbyterian Church and Pitts Chapel United Methodist Church.)  Silver Springs Park, Springfield’s only public park open to black residents during segregation, was established in 1918 on land owned by Springfield school superintendent Jonathan Fairbanks, who had died the previous year. The night before Easter 1906, Fairbanks opened his home to black residents frightened by the lynching of three black men – Will Allen, Fred Coker, and Horace Duncan – on Park Central Square. A memorial honoring the three men will be incorporated into the heritage trail.

Sites

The Sherman Avenue Corridor, The former Lincoln High School (Springfield’s black high school before integration, now part of OTC), The Jones Alley Business District, Historic Black Churches: Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Benton Avenue AME Church, Pitts Chapel United Methodist, Gibson Chapel Presbyterian Church, Timmons Temple (now called Timmons Hall in Silver Springs Park), & Park Central Square: 1906 Easter Lynchings

Funding & Donations

Contributions to the Heritage Trail are gratefully accepted and used to further develop the Trail. For more information, visit AfricanAmericanHeritageTrailSGF.org. To Donate, mail a check to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Springfield-Greene County  African-American Heritage Trail Fund, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801, or visit CFOzarks.org.

Trail Organizers

The organizers of the Springfield-Greene County African-American Heritage Trail are a committee of citizens dedicated to sharing the history of the African-American people of Springfield and Greene County. The committee identifies sites and provides markers honoring locations deeply significant to the story of people of color.  Sponsors and partners include Bass Pro Shops, the City of Springfield, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Missouri State University, Ozark Greenways, and Springfield-Greene County Park Board.  Organizers include: Lyle Foster – business owner, Wes Pratt – MSU Chief Diversity Officer, Tim Knapp – MSU Sociology professor, Cheryl Clay – NAACP Springfield President, & Cora Scott – Springfield Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement 

Parking & Trail Access

Timmons Hall:  1055 E. Webster St., Springfield, MO 65802

 

Map

Download a printable version of this Ozark Greenways map

Suggested Itinerary

Download a printable suggested itinerary for this trail