America Newton

America Newton (Dyer Newton; 1835 – 1917[1]) was one of the original African-American pioneers who helped launch the former mining town of Julian, California, in the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego.[2] She was among the earliest female African-American settlers in the area.[3] Newton was a former slave who provided laundry services in Julian during its gold rush days and beyond. She resided in Julian for more than 50 years.

She arrived in Julian in 1872, having come from Independence, Missouri.[4] Newton owned an 80-acre (320,000 m2) homestead near Julian. A gift shop in Julian is named in her memory, as well as a trail located near her cabin.[3] She died of pneumonia in 1917.[4]

She is buried in the Julian Cemetery.[5]

References
  1. "America Newgon (1835-1917)". Find A Grave. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  2. "The mountain forest as it appeared before the 2003 Cedar Fire".
  3. "Black Pioneers in San Diego 1880 - 1920". San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  4. LeMenager, Charles R. (20 July 1992). "Julian City and Cuyamaca Country: A History and Guide to the Past and Present". Eagle Peak Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  5. Caterino, David M.; Mallios, Seth (20 July 2018). "Cemeteries of San Diego County". Arcadia Publishing – via Google Books.


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