Israel Beal was an African American Pioneer and Legend in the City of Redlands. He was born April 10, 1848 and died May 11, 1929.
It has been 89 years since the death of Israel “Doc” Beal, an African American pioneer and legendary citizen in the City of Redlands, California. Gone, but not forgotten, as the City of Redlands, in collaboration with Unity in the Community, will host the First Juneteenth Celebration of freedom at Israel Beal Park on June 16, 2018.
Israel Beal was born in 1848 into slavery in Jefferson County, Virginia, one of eleven children born to Oliver and Elvira Myes Beal. He later gained his freedom after the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served under General William Sherman on the famous “March on the Sea.” He was a skilled teamster. He later came west in 1865. He was hired by Myron H. Crafts and was employed for 59 years. He lived and worked in Redlands, California, but was well known in San Bernardino and Riverside. Israel Beal was known in the Inland Empire and his was the oldest Black family to settle in the San Bernardino valley. He was skilled in planting and harvesting, moving houses and heavy loads, and graded up to 20 acre parcels, which became known as Crafton.
In 1870 he married Martha Embers (Beal) and seven children were born to their union.
By 1874, he purchased his own 20 acres of land on West Lugonia Avenue, a farm ranch that grew to 57 acres where his two story home was built. A photo of his home and estate was published in the first colored newspaper in Redlands, The Colored Citizen, July 1, 1905. In that issue his son Charles Arthur Beal is honored as the first Negro student to complete a Redlands Union High School course with honors. His son Arthur was the first to integrate the football and track teams in Redlands High School.
He later was credited with grading 1500 acres of the first Redlands tract, the original Big Bear Dam and hauled lumber to build the first church in Redlands. In 1879 he planned a 160-acre vineyard that is part of the University of Redlands’ campus today.
Israel Beal died in the county hospital at the age of 81 from an injury. He had been confined to a bed with a broken hip. Buried in an unmarked grave for 66 years, the Redlands Area Historical Society raised funds to buy a headstone. He is buried at Hillside Cemetery in the City of Redlands. He and his wife Martha were loyal citizens of the City of Redlands for over 60 years.
In 2010, a City of Redlands park was named after its first African-American pioneer. The City Council voted unanimously to officially name the park Israel Beal Park, located at Park-Riverview Drive/Pioneer Street in Redlands.
And now, almost a hundred years later, the first JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION will be held at Israel Beal Park in the City of Redlands, on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 10am to 3pm. A City Proclamation and unveiling of Israel Beal monument will be presented by Mayor Paul Foster. The Juneteenth celebration theme is: SAFETY FIRST, FOR OUR CHILDREN. There will be plenty of activities for children and youth, food, entertainment, speakers and opportunities to learn about the history of the City of Redlands. This event is promoting the rich history and “diversity and unity” of the City of Redlands.
Co-Chairpersons of the Juneteenth Event are Pastor Anthony W. Green, of the Second Baptist Church of Redlands and Mario Saucedo of North Redlands Visioning Committee. For information contact Second Baptist Church at 909-793-1074.