|
|
 |
|
Jonathan
Lyles
1846-1910
|
Lyles
Station, Indiana, the state’s last remaining African-American settlement,
celebrated its past, present, and future as it dedicated a historical
marker for the southwestern Indiana community and hosted a groundbreaking
ceremony on Monday, June 24, 2002, on the grounds of the Lyles Consolidated
School, 4.5 miles west of Princeton, Indiana.
“I think that the Lyles Station community has long been historically
significant to those of us in the Princeton area,” said Indiana
State Senator Lindel Hume. “I am extremely pleased with the
work that the Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation has done
in securing this historical marker and sharing this piece of our history
with the rest of the state.”
The marker, issued by the Indiana Historical Bureau, is one of
over 300 across the state and provides a brief history of the community
founded by freed slaves in the mid-1800’s.
The gold lettering set against a dark blue background with the outline
of the state of Indiana reads as follows:
“Settled in late 1840s by Joshua and Sanford Lyles, former slaves
from Tennessee. African Methodist Episcopal Church (since 1860) and
schools (1865-1958) played important roles in sustaining the community.
On land donated by Joshua Lyles, railroad companies maintained a station
circa 1870-1950s for passenger, freight, and mail service.
Named Lyles Station 1886. Community declined after widespread flooding
in 1913. It remains probably most intact African-American settlement
in the state; several present residents are descendants of original
settlers. Lyles Consolidated School, built 1919, listed in National
Register of Historic Places in 1999; restoration began 2001.”
Along with several state and local officials, Indiana’s First
Lady Judy O’Bannon was the featured guest speaker and participated
in the marker dedication and groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation
of the Lyles Consolidated School. As a symbol of the rural heritage
and persevering spirit of the community, vintage shovels contributed
by founding families were used in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Upon completion, the school is set to be designated as a Heritage
School where visiting students will experience a day in the life of
African-American school children in the early 1900’s. The project
is expected to be completed in early 2003.
“The groundbreaking ceremony for the Lyles Consolidated School
renovation marks the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication
on the part of members of the Lyles Station community” said Stanley
Madison, chairman of the Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation.
“The Lyles school has come to symbolize the challenges and achievements
of the residents of this African-American community over the past 150
years.”
The
Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation was incorporated in
June, 1997 to preserve the oral, written, physical history, artifacts,
building and land which identify and/or describe events, activities,
and life experiences of the people and the community known as Lyles
Station in Gibson County, Indiana incorporated in 1886.
|
 |
