Descendant of first former slaves to arrive in Elgin plans trolley tour

As a descendant of the first black slaves to arrive in Elgin during the Civil War, lifelong resident Ernie Broadnax has long felt the community could benefit by learning more about the heritage of the city's African-Americans.

To help make this a reality, he's planning the first-ever trolley bus tour of the city April 19, 2007, -- a trip that will also include portrayals of the arrival of the first blacks in Elgin.

"Elgin has some great tours," Broadnax says.

These include historical house tours and other walking tours. There is also the cemetery walk and a garden tour. This will be the first tour that will focus exclusively on the history of the black residents, he said.

"Blacks have been a part of the city's history almost since the beginning," Broadnax says.

Sent north in railroad box cars as contraband during the Civil War, the very first African-Americans arrived in October 1862. These included 110 people, mostly women and children. One of them was Blaine Harding, Broadnax's great-great grandmother.

Blacks first settled on Hickory, Fremont and Ann streets in what was then the northern edge of the community, Broadnax says. This area, which was known as "The Settlement," will be a primary stop and focus of the tour.

The arrival of the first blacks was coordinated largely by two local ministers, one who was in Elgin and one who was serving in the Union Army. Many citizens did not welcome these new arrivals here in spite of the men's good intent.

While Broadnax says he and his committee are still fine-tuning the trip, other points of interest will be along nearby Dundee Avenue. He also plans stops west of the river to show some of the workplaces and earlier homes of blacks.

"I'll also talk about businesses and restaurants where blacks couldn't go or work," he says.

The bus tour will be preceded by a skit at the Second Baptist Church, which will re-enact the moment of arrival of the first blacks. Among those portrayed will be Mary Wheeler, a matriarch of the black community, and Benjamin Downs, one of the few black men.

Others will include Arthur Newsome, the unofficial leader of the group, and the Rev. Adorniram Joslyn, pastor of the First Baptist Church, who arranged the trip.

Broadnax says he first presented this idea to his church, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, and its pastor, the Rev. Barry Jones, who supported him in the effort. He is also working closely with the Rev. Edmonds of the Second Baptist Church and the Elgin Human Relations Commission.

"I didn't want to do this during Black History Month since there already was so much going on," Broadnax, says.

"I hope this can be repeated again on a regular basis," he adds.

He also hopes to eventually add a CD and other resources for area teachers. Another project is a photo collage of Elgin's black residents.

"I think the trip will be a chance for some people to make new friends," he adds.

But, most of all, it will be a chance for people to learn more about blacks who have been a part of the city's population for much of its existence.

"Elgin was a small rural village of a few thousand people when the first blacks arrived. Their history needs to be told, too," he says.

If you go

What: The Elgin Black History Trolley Bus Tour

When: April 19

Info: Contact New Hope Baptist Church, (847) 931-4141.