In a cemetery on a rustic street close to Sacramento, three rows of granite headstones bear the identical inscription: “Unknown, moved from Negro Hill Cemetery by the US Authorities – 1954.”

The graves comprise the stays of 36 Negro Hill settlers, one of many largest black mining communities that sprung up in the course of the gold rush. In 1853, the settlement, alongside the American River about 25 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento, was dwelling to 1,200 folks and had a boarding home and several other shops, in line with El Dorado County, which oversees the cemetery. .

However way more of the neighborhood's historical past has been forgotten. That's as a result of the place the place Negro Hill used to face is now deep underneath Folsom Lake, flooded and destroyed when the reservoir was created within the Nineteen Fifties, and since black historical past hasn't made it into state parks and different historic websites. in California, in line with Susan. D. Anderson, the curator of historical past on the African American Museum of California in Los Angeles.

“All of the black historical past that’s woven into all these websites has by no means been expressed or interpreted,” Anderson advised me. “We now have to inform all these tales.”

Anderson is becoming a member of with the state on a $15 million initiative that may enhance analysis and public training about black historical past in additional than two dozen California state parks. The challenge will disrupt Negro Hill and different close by Black Gold Rush settlements, together with Black Miners Bar (which the parks division just lately renamed) situated in Folsom Lake State Recreation Space and Marshall State Historic Park Gold Discovery in Coloma, the place shining flecks. they had been first present in 1848. The Gold Rush introduced 10,000 Black miners to the Sierra foothills, in line with the state parks division.

Though many of those websites might quickly use an replace, there’s nonetheless a lot to study in locations essential to black historical past in California. Listed here are some suggestions:

Allensworth, within the southern San Joaquin Valley, was based in 1908 as a metropolis that might be solely financed and ruled by African Individuals. The person who bears the identify, Allen Allensworth, was born into slavery in Kentucky in 1842 and retired to Los Angeles after preventing within the Civil Struggle, incomes a doctorate in theology and turning into the primary African-American to attain the rank of lieutenant colonel in the US. military The Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park preserves his dream, and guests can see buildings restored and rebuilt by the town.

There’s a mini-park in downtown Los Angeles that honors Biddy Mason, a black lady born into slavery who turned one of many metropolis's first residents and property homeowners starting within the 1850s. The Los Angeles Instances reported that 'she was a “dwelling legend” in these days, who helped discovered the primary black church in Los Angeles and the primary elementary college for black kids.

Within the 1840s in what’s now San Diego – part of Mexico on the time – two black males had been distinguished members of the neighborhood and ran a saloon and a dry items retailer. Guests to Outdated City San Diego State Historic Park can see a contemporary reconstruction of the home that Richard Freeman and Allen Mild shared. Learn extra from the San Diego Historic Society about how his exceptional tales had been rediscovered many years after his dying.

For extra:

  • Learn my Q&A with Anderson, the curator of historical past on the California African American Museum, about black historical past in California.

What are the very best California motion pictures? “Chinatown”? “Vertigo”? “La La Land”?

Inform us which film you’d placed on an inventory of California motion pictures and why. Electronic mail us at CAtoday@nytimes.com. Please embody your full identify and the town you reside in.

All through February, and particularly on Valentine's Day, lots of consideration is paid to grand romantic gestures. However smaller, extra delicate acts of affection and a focus—like doing the dishes and remembering to say “I really like you”—might be simply as important to retaining relationships robust.

We just lately requested The Instances readers to speak concerning the little methods they categorical their love each day. From the 1,300 entries we acquired, we rounded up our 100 favorites, together with a handful from our California readers, and recorded them in an interactive article all about love.

Readers described acts of service, like choosing up a liked one from the airport, and sacrifices, large and small. “For over 21 years, my husband gave me the final chew of his dessert, all the time,” Jennifer Grissom, from Los Angeles, writes in a voice.

Because the article suggests, there are various methods to indicate love. However all 100 are certain to heat your coronary heart. Learn the complete article right here.

Thanks for studying. I'll be again tomorrow. – Soumia

Correction: A notice to readers on Friday e-newsletter incorrectly referred to Joan Didion's novel “Play It as It Lays.” It’s his second novel, not his first.

PS Right here it’s At this time's mini crossword.

Maia Coleman and Briana Scalia contributed to California At this time. You may attain the workforce at CAtoday@nytimes.com.

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