UPDATE 6/18/2022
The State Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to rename a day-use area in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area after years of calls to do so.
The controversial park name will be temporarily named "Black Miners Bar" after the commission voted 7-0 on Friday at a public hearing. The site was previously called Negro Bar.
Many giving public comments said the change is long overdue.
"Some folks thought that 'Negro' actually is black in Spanish and that that is what it was about, not understanding, every time a Black person passes by that area, they’re punched in the face with that word," said Tracie Stafford, chair of Sacramento County's Democratic Party, who told KCRA 3 she's participated in the name change process over the last year-and-a-half or so.
It could take a year before an official name is chosen, but the commission's chair, Rue Mapp, is encouraged by her panel's decision Friday to approve a "provisional" name change.
"As a Black woman who’s driven by that site, who’s known about that site, it’s been difficult," Mapp said. "So, it is both professional and personal pride in the decision we’ve arrived at today."
State Parks rangers, historians and several state and local groups spent nearly two years researching the area’s history, holding discussions, and ultimately making the day-use site name change recommendation.
"When someone comes to me and tells me they can’t use the park because they’re uncomfortable using it, I take that really deep to heart," said Barry Smith, district superintendent for the Gold Fields District of California State Parks. "[I] feel that it’s my time to listen, and understand why, and what I can do to help."
The day-use area is on the northwestern shore of Lake Natoma, about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. The site offers trails, paddle sports concessions and is a training center for junior lifeguards.
The historic town site of Negro Bar was located across the American River from where the current day-use facilities are and used to have 500-600 residents, according to government records from the 1850s.
“The historical use of the name appears in reference to Black miners during the gold rush including from an 1850 newspaper article noting Black miners finding gold at this location in 1848,” according to State Parks.
State Parks previously decided not to change the name when it came up as an issue in 1999.
In 2018, Phaedra Jones, a Black woman from Stockton, created an online petition to change the name.
In 2020 there was a formal request to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to change the site’s name, according to the State Parks Department.
"The fact that we’re here today, having this discussion — although it’s painful that we are still having this discussion — at least we are having it," Stafford said. "It’s absolutely never too late to make forward movement."
On Saturday, a Juneteenth commemoration event will take place at the site.
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POSTED 6/16/2022
California commission considers renaming Folsom Lake day-use area, developing education program for Black gold rush site. The move comes after meetings with community members, historians and stakeholders. If the name change is approved, the first step would be to temporarily change the name to Black Miners Bar Day-Use Area.
A day-use area in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area of Sacramento County could get a new name after years of calls to do so.
The California State Park and Recreation Commission is holding a public hearing Friday to consider changing the name of Negro Bar, which is on the northwestern shore of Lake Natoma about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. The site offers trails, paddle sports concessions and is a training center for junior lifeguards.
Those in support of change, naming 'Negro' as a dated, derogatory term, and others in opposition, concerned with the potential loss of recognition the name provides to African American presence and participation in the California Gold Rush in this Area,” the commission's discussion item says.
The historic town site of Negro Bar was located across the American River from where the current day-use facilities are and used to have 500-600 residents, according to government records from the 1850s.
“The historical use of the name appears in reference to Black miners during the gold rush including from an 1850 newspaper article noting Black miners finding gold at this location in 1848,” according to State Parks.
State Parks previously decided not to change the name when it came up as an issue in 1999.
In 2018, Phaedra Jones, a Black woman from Stockton, created an online petition to change the name.
Jones suggested that the name be changed to honor one of the Black miners who settled in the area, telling KCRA 3 at the time, “I’m proud that it has been something for Black people. I want it to stay that way.”
Gary Simon, the executive director of Sacramento Juneteenth Inc., told KCRA 3 then that he favored keeping the name "to avoid that history from being lost."
In 2020 there was a formal request to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to change the site’s name, according to the State Parks Department. The State Parks Department said that it has since held meetings with community members, historians and stakeholders.
“Public and stakeholder input provided significant evidence that a majority of those engaged are either offended or see value in a change from the current name,” the department said. “Some community individuals expressing that they are personally uncomfortable or do not feel safe in visiting the site due to the connotation of the name. Concern was also received from community members and interested parties fearing a name change that would lead to elimination of, or reduction of, recognition of the African American history of this area of the American River gold fields.”
At Friday’s meeting, the commission will also consider a process to find a new name and a research project to develop an education program at the recreation area.
If the name change is approved, the first step would be to temporarily change the name to Black Miners Bar Day-Use Area.
On Saturday, a Juneteenth commemoration event will take place at the site.
To see the original story and video on KCRA-Channel 3, click here.
The State Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to rename a day-use area in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area after years of calls to do so.
The controversial park name will be temporarily named "Black Miners Bar" after the commission voted 7-0 on Friday at a public hearing. The site was previously called Negro Bar.
Many giving public comments said the change is long overdue.
"Some folks thought that 'Negro' actually is black in Spanish and that that is what it was about, not understanding, every time a Black person passes by that area, they’re punched in the face with that word," said Tracie Stafford, chair of Sacramento County's Democratic Party, who told KCRA 3 she's participated in the name change process over the last year-and-a-half or so.
It could take a year before an official name is chosen, but the commission's chair, Rue Mapp, is encouraged by her panel's decision Friday to approve a "provisional" name change.
"As a Black woman who’s driven by that site, who’s known about that site, it’s been difficult," Mapp said. "So, it is both professional and personal pride in the decision we’ve arrived at today."
State Parks rangers, historians and several state and local groups spent nearly two years researching the area’s history, holding discussions, and ultimately making the day-use site name change recommendation.
"When someone comes to me and tells me they can’t use the park because they’re uncomfortable using it, I take that really deep to heart," said Barry Smith, district superintendent for the Gold Fields District of California State Parks. "[I] feel that it’s my time to listen, and understand why, and what I can do to help."
The day-use area is on the northwestern shore of Lake Natoma, about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. The site offers trails, paddle sports concessions and is a training center for junior lifeguards.
The historic town site of Negro Bar was located across the American River from where the current day-use facilities are and used to have 500-600 residents, according to government records from the 1850s.
“The historical use of the name appears in reference to Black miners during the gold rush including from an 1850 newspaper article noting Black miners finding gold at this location in 1848,” according to State Parks.
State Parks previously decided not to change the name when it came up as an issue in 1999.
In 2018, Phaedra Jones, a Black woman from Stockton, created an online petition to change the name.
In 2020 there was a formal request to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to change the site’s name, according to the State Parks Department.
"The fact that we’re here today, having this discussion — although it’s painful that we are still having this discussion — at least we are having it," Stafford said. "It’s absolutely never too late to make forward movement."
On Saturday, a Juneteenth commemoration event will take place at the site.
=================================
POSTED 6/16/2022
California commission considers renaming Folsom Lake day-use area, developing education program for Black gold rush site. The move comes after meetings with community members, historians and stakeholders. If the name change is approved, the first step would be to temporarily change the name to Black Miners Bar Day-Use Area.
A day-use area in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area of Sacramento County could get a new name after years of calls to do so.
The California State Park and Recreation Commission is holding a public hearing Friday to consider changing the name of Negro Bar, which is on the northwestern shore of Lake Natoma about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. The site offers trails, paddle sports concessions and is a training center for junior lifeguards.
Those in support of change, naming 'Negro' as a dated, derogatory term, and others in opposition, concerned with the potential loss of recognition the name provides to African American presence and participation in the California Gold Rush in this Area,” the commission's discussion item says.
The historic town site of Negro Bar was located across the American River from where the current day-use facilities are and used to have 500-600 residents, according to government records from the 1850s.
“The historical use of the name appears in reference to Black miners during the gold rush including from an 1850 newspaper article noting Black miners finding gold at this location in 1848,” according to State Parks.
State Parks previously decided not to change the name when it came up as an issue in 1999.
In 2018, Phaedra Jones, a Black woman from Stockton, created an online petition to change the name.
Jones suggested that the name be changed to honor one of the Black miners who settled in the area, telling KCRA 3 at the time, “I’m proud that it has been something for Black people. I want it to stay that way.”
Gary Simon, the executive director of Sacramento Juneteenth Inc., told KCRA 3 then that he favored keeping the name "to avoid that history from being lost."
In 2020 there was a formal request to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to change the site’s name, according to the State Parks Department. The State Parks Department said that it has since held meetings with community members, historians and stakeholders.
“Public and stakeholder input provided significant evidence that a majority of those engaged are either offended or see value in a change from the current name,” the department said. “Some community individuals expressing that they are personally uncomfortable or do not feel safe in visiting the site due to the connotation of the name. Concern was also received from community members and interested parties fearing a name change that would lead to elimination of, or reduction of, recognition of the African American history of this area of the American River gold fields.”
At Friday’s meeting, the commission will also consider a process to find a new name and a research project to develop an education program at the recreation area.
If the name change is approved, the first step would be to temporarily change the name to Black Miners Bar Day-Use Area.
On Saturday, a Juneteenth commemoration event will take place at the site.
To see the original story and video on KCRA-Channel 3, click here.
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