Posted on 02/21/2010 2:58:33 PM PST by Steelfish
Century-Old Slur Erased From Santa Monica Mountains Maps February 20, 2010
A century-old slur was erased Saturday as authorities ceremoniously renamed a Santa Monica Mountains peak to commemorate a black pioneer who established a homestead at its base in 1880.
What had long been designated on "Negrohead Mountain" on official maps is now "Ballard Mountain" in honor of John Ballard, who worked as a blacksmith and firewood vendor from his 160 acres in the Seminole Springs area.
About 25 of Ballard’s descendants were among a crowd of 90 who watched as a plaque bearing the settler’s name was unveiled near the site of his onetime homestead. It will be permanently placed next to Kanan Road’s north tunnel near the top of the 2,031-foot volcanic peak.
Reggie Ballard, the 85-year-old great-grandson of the pioneer, said he was pleased to see the old name wiped away.
"I don’t know what it means to Los Angeles as a whole but it means a lot to me," said the retired Los Angeles Fire Department captain who now lives in Banning.
"It’s not often you get a chance to right an historical wrong," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who helped nearby residents win approval of the name change with the U.S. Geological Survey. Marcia McNutt, the survey’s director, traveled from Washington to attend the ceremony.
Descendant Christopher Ballard, 19, of Long Beach said he and six others climbed Ballard Mountain, climbing over rocks and carving their own trail through brush. When he reached its peak, he said, it felt like he was on top of the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
“The Naming of Negro Mountain. Nemesis, a black frontiersman, was killed here while fighting Indians with Maryland frontiersman Thomas Cresap in the 1750s. Legend tells us that he had a premonition of his death. In his honor, they named this mountain after him.”
Yup, looked it up after driving over it many times.
Immediately north of the Mira Mesa area of San Diego is "Black Mountain". Will somebody raise a fuss about that too?
They should rename ALL locations to assure no one gets ofended.
Instead of Negrohead or Ballard Mtn., call it geographical location Lat: 34.10972 / Long: -118.809814 / Elevation: +2,031 feet.
That’s more accurate than a name anyway.and much less likely to offend one of the Sisters of Perpetual Outage.
No... It’s now “Smith of Color”.
I was afraid the new name was going to be “Blackhead Mountain”.
Just Google N****RHEAD and see how many different physical items, topographic features and locations around the world carry that appellation.
To name a few: Coral heads, mountains, clouds, flat top boulders, types of oyster shells, melons, anchor bitts on ships, round iron mooring blocks on wharfs, ponds and other bodies of water, and on and on.....
That's "Proud smith of color (who works on metal things)".
ABSOLUTELY.
I used to work with a black man named Napolean Head - went by Nap Head. True story. Am I a racist for knowing him?
“Just Google N****RHEAD and see how many different physical items, topographic features and locations around the world carry that appellation.”
Here in Idaho the Salmon river used to have a “Niggerhead rapids”. It’s now called “EEO rapids”.
Nah....sooner or later they will find out about Negrofoot in Hanover County.
“Next up, Squaw Valley... /s”
They already renamed a local BLM area from Squaw Leap to some other name.
There used to be N word hill at Lake Buchanan too. Really old maps also had Travis Peak named Tittie Hill, because the top has an outcropping that looks like a nipple.
Well, the hills’ headlights will be on tomorrow, what with a 1-3 in predicted snow accumulation.
Yes, but I am not ready to deal with some of the drivers on 1431 if there is snow. Heck, a lot can’t drive when it is sunny and dry.
Now if we could just get Honkyhead Hills off the maps...
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