Buffalo Soldiers: America’s First National Park Rangers
America’s National Parks function as backdrops for millions of stories every year. But if not for the efforts of a small group of African-American men and women, accessibility to some of those backdrops might not exist today.
Black soldiers were first tasked with patrolling Yosemite, Sequoia and General Grant (Kings Canyon) National Park nearly 20 years before the National Park Service was established in 1916. These soldiers were known as the Buffalo Soldiers, an African-American cavalry initially tasked with battling Native Americans during the westward expansion.
Little credit is given today to the troops that fought back loggers, poachers, and trespassers during the establishment of the National Parks. But they should be. These individuals performed sometimes dangerous work in an era when speaking authoritatively to Caucasians could lead to your lynching. The only visible tribute to the soldiers’ contributions is seen with Smokey Bear’s hat, which is modeled after the ones worn by the Buffalo Soldiers.
TravelCoterie’s Kevin Frazier explains some of the other ways soldiers helped in establishing the National Parks in the video above.
Eric has revolved in and out of passport controls for over 20 years. From his first archaeological field school in Belize to rural villages in Ethiopia and Buddhist temples in Laos, Eric has come smile to smile with all walks of life. A writer, photographer and entrepreneur, the LA native believes the power of connectivity and community is enriched through travel.
