Near Thorntown in Boone County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Sugar Creek Community
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, May 30, 2021
1. Sugar Creek Community Marker
Inscription.
Sugar Creek Community. . , Black southerners established a thriving, free community around Thorntown in Sugar Creek Township by the early 1850s. Most became farmers and some owned property, despite Indiana's constitutional prohibition of black settlement. By 1870, this community of over 170 residents established an African Methodist Episcopal church, school, cemetery, and Masonic lodge.
With the passage of the 15th Amendment, male residents engaged in politics through voting, public speaking, and organizing a Republican club. While the community dispersed in the 1890's, the church and affiliated women's group remained active into the 1900's. Only the cemetery, where at least one Civil War veteran of the U.S. Colored Troops was buried, has been preserved.
Black southerners established a thriving, free community around Thorntown in Sugar Creek Township by the early 1850s. Most became farmers and some owned property, despite Indiana's constitutional prohibition of black settlement. By 1870, this community of over 170 residents established an African Methodist Episcopal church, school, cemetery, and Masonic lodge.
With the passage of the 15th Amendment, male residents engaged in politics through voting, public speaking, and organizing a Republican club. While the community dispersed in the 1890's, the church and affiliated women's group remained active into the 1900's. Only the cemetery, where at least one Civil War veteran of the U.S. Colored Troops was buried, has been preserved.
Location. 40° 8.301′ N, 86° 37.436′ W. Marker is near Thorntown, Indiana, in Boone County. Marker is on N 825 W, on the left when traveling north. Located in the Colored Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thorntown IN 46071, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2021, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 30, 2021, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
