James P. Beckwourth was an African-American mountain man, fur trader, and explorer who was born into slavery in Virginia in 1805. He was freed by his father (and master) and apprenticed to a blacksmith. As a young man, he moved to the American West first making connections with fur traders while on several land expeditions. He later lived with a village of Crow Native Americans. Beckwourth Pass, named in his honor, is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is the route that the Western Pacific Railroad used to cross the Sierra along their Feather River route. In August 1851, Beckwourth led the first intact wagon train. He also authored several books based on his life and times. Exterior view of the Mountainview/Beckwourth Branch Library at 721 San Pasqual St.. Formerly named the James P. Beckwourth Branch Library, the Mountain View/Beckwourth Library was built in 1976 on land provided by the San Diego Community College District as part of the Educational Cultural Complex. Written on back of photo: San Diego Public Library. James P. Beckwourth Branch.
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b20_f19_004a.tif ark:/21198/z11v6z4g
Subject
Library buildings Branch libraries San Diego Public Library (Calif.). Mountain View/Beckwourth Library
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