January 14, 1997
African American Railroad Heritage and Buffalo Soldier Day, Feb. 22
Contact: Louise Snider, 619/594-5204
African American Railroad Heritage and Buffalo Soldier Day celebrates the contributions of hundreds of thousands of blacks to America's railroads and honors the Buffalo Soldiers, the black cavalrymen who served from the end of the Civil War to World War II.
Activities take place on Saturday, February 22, from 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the San Diego Railroad Museum in Campo. Campo was the site of the last encampment of the Buffalo Soldiers in 1942.
Events include re-enactment of the Buffalo Soldiers' drills and demonstrations throughout the day, a train ride on the "Camp Lockett Rocket" to Miller Creek, a barbeque, tour and history of a Jim Crow (segregated) rail car and other historic equipment, and a slide-show and displays.
Sponsors of the event are San Diego State University's Departments of Africana Studies and History, the San Diego Railroad Museum, and the Buffalo Soldiers troop.
Admission, including train ride, tour, and slide show, is $10 adults; $3 children over five years and students with I.D; children five and under, free. Chicken barbeque $6, reservation required, or visitors may bring their own picnic lunch.
For barbeque reservations, directions, or other information, call 619/595-3030.
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