Buffalo Soldiers' Legacy Alive and Well in Detroit

The Buffalo Soldiers contribution to the history of the United States is often overlooked when reviewing the westward expansion of the nation in the 19th century. In 1866, Congress enacted legislation to create all-African American Army Units, the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25the Infantry Regiments. During the westward expansion, these military units built infrastructure and escorted settlers across the plains.

"They initially started out as somewhat of a police force; they built towns they couldn't go in because racism still prevailed, they strung telegraph wires, they protected the railroad, protected the stagecoach, those kinds of jobs until the Plains War between the United States and Native Americans broke out. Being a part of the United States, it was their job to go after the Native Americans," explains the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association President James Mills. "The name Buffalo Soldiers was derived from the Native Americans because of the bravery of the black soldiers in combat, which is something they had a high respect for."

Mills was instrumental in bringing the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Center to Detroit's Rouge Park where 9 horses occupy the stables which were at one time headquarters for the Detroit Mounted Police unit. "There was not enough information in regards to the Buffalo Soldiers," says Mills. "A group of us-all previously horsemen-we all kind of got together and decided to honor this legacy." The effort was accomplished with the assistance of Detroit City Council, the Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Friends of Rouge Park.

The Heritage Center is a small museum where visitors can step back in time while learning about the Buffalo Soldiers' contribution to the development of the old west. While Mills says the main focus is history and education, he says having horses in the city gives kids and adults alike an opportunity to become familiar with a large animal they may only see in magazines or books. "The only time most kids, especially here in the inner city, get to see a horse is if the police are riding their horses down the street," says Mills. "Here they're able to get a little bit more personal with them."

During the summer months, the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association hosts programs aimed at learning how to ride, feed, and care for a horse. "Most of the kids that come up here for the most part are afraid for a little while, and then they get over that fear and then it starts to be fun; you can see that by the parents ready to go and the kids not ready to go," he says. "For those that come up here regularly, they know the names of every horse up here, and then they have their favorites, naturally."

Mills says animals are therapeutic and can even have a transforming effect on some people. "Some kids, they come up here that are hard to manage at home, and they come up here and they change. It's something that these horses convey to them or likewise, and they kind of change their attitudes even at home, and want to come back out here," he says.

Both the Heritage Center and the horse stables are open daily for visitors. The entire complex is staffed by volunteers, who care for the horses and take them outdoors daily. Schools, churches, and community organizations frequently bring young people out to meet the horses and even birthday parties can be held on the stable grounds. Mills says as the stables are part of the park, they often get people just looking for a quiet place to sit and read or have lunch while watching the horses.

What does Mills find especially satisfying about his work with horses? "The kids," he says. "They get enjoyment out of it, and I get the same thing out of watching a kid that's never been on a horse, and they can control this horse in 30 minutes by themselves."

The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association is located at 21800 Joy Road, in Rouge Park, just west of Evergreen Road. Find out more at http://www.buffalosoldiersdetroit.org or http://www.facebook.com/Buffalo-Soldiers-Heritage-Association.