Elmwood Cemetery, incorporated in 1846, was integrated from its beginning. It became a popular burial ground for African Americans. Historian Dr. Norman McRae said, “When you consider that in 1910 Detroit had a population of 300,000 people but only 5,000 were black. There weren’t many of us here. Those who were, were buried in Elmwood.” Elmwood is proud to recognize the significant achievements of abolitionists, businessmen, political and community leaders, musicians, spiritual leaders, attorneys and many others. Download the African American self-guided tour map here.
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Welcome and Introduction
1. Dr. Charles Wright
2. William Ferguson, Alfred M. Pelham, Benjamin Pelham, Joseph Pelham, Robert Pelham, Frederick Pelham
3. Harry P. Guy
4. Dr. James W. Ames
5. Elizabeth Denison Forth
6. Julian P. Rogers
7. John C. Dancy
8. Theodore Finney, Fred Hart Williams
9. Frances E. L. Preston
10. Madame Emma Azalia Smith Hackley
11. Dr. Henry E. Thompson, Edward L. Gordon, Mittie Buenya Gordon
12. Richard Bush, Amanda "Minda" Lynch
13. D. Augustus Straker
14. Rev. Robert Bradby, Jr.
15. Charleszetta "Mother" Waddles
16. Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg
17. Samuel Codes Watson
18. James H. Cole, Sr.
19. Tyrone Brooks
20. The Honorable Claudia House Morcom
21. Marcena Taylor
22. Curtis Randolph
23. Lomax B. Cook
24. Kermit G. Bailer
25. Arthur Moses Bowman
26. Dr. William Thomas Love, Josephine Harreld Love
27. Members of 102nd U.S. Colored Infantry
28. Dr. Joseph Ferguson, William Webb, Charles Stone
29. John D. Richards, Fannie Richards
30. Coleman A. Young
31. William Nathaniel "Sunny" Wilson
32. Billie Willis
33. Wilson A. Copeland, Rev. James A. Charleston
34. Thomas "Beans" Bowles
35. Ernest E. Rogers, Jr.
36. Lorenzo C. Wright
37. Chief Dr. Augustine Kayode Kole James
38. Robert Millender, Sr., Joyce Garrett
39. William Lambert
40. John Bailey
41. James Robinson
42. George DeBaptiste
43. Jacques "Jack" Surrell
44. Dr. Norman McRae
45. Dudley Randall
46. Jim Ingram
47. Theodore Guy Buckner, Sr.
48. Cora Brown
49. Edith Gamble
50. George Slaton, Jessie Slaton
51. Rev. Robert Bradby, Sr. Rosa L.S. Gragg
52. Clyde Hopkins, P.E.
53. Erma Henderson, Rev. Herbert B. Robinson, Don Davis, Hon. Roy L. Roulhac