African Americans
in
Knox County

 

Ruby Skinner
Galesburg circa 1914
Photo contributed by Janet Durst

Galesburg is proud of its founders being abolitionists and Knox College operating as a station in the Underground Railroad. Even so, we should be careful not to look into the past with rose-colored glasses. African-Americans had their own unique trials and tribulations and yet through it all, they raised their families and contributed to the community.  We will glean information from various resources -- books, newspapers, census, oral histories and photographs -- to determine what life was like for African-Americans in the early days of Knox County.

Please join us in our journey!