Much like other predominantly Black neighborhoods and communities that have experienced the white flight paradigm, a forgotten village has erupted from the ashes and holds hidden truths many may not know. Seneca Village, a small community that lies within a 2.5-mile radius of what’s known as today’s Central Park, was once home to a group of free Black property owners that wanted to escape the binding reality of racism and discrimination they faced during the 18th century. Established in 1825, the formation of Seneca Village started with two wealthy white landowners that subdivided their land into 200 lots. From there, the history of Seneca village all lies within 32 years of untapped history.

And though the name Seneca Village is widely known, one might continue to ask about the people the community once inhabited, as well as why yet another Black utopia was erased from history. In honor of Black History Month and a community lost in time, here’s everything we know about the forgotten village.

1. Three lots of the land were bought by a 25-year-old African American shoeshiner.

Andrew Williams, a 25-year-old free African American shoeshiner, bought three lots of land from wealthy white landowners, John and Elizabeth Whitehead. The couple subdivided their land into 200 lots, which was a prime spot for Williams to search for an escape from the everyday confines of racism and discrimination. Williams purchased the lots for $125, later, resulting in a store clerk named Epiphany Davis buying 12 lots of land for $578. In addition to Williams and Davis purchasing land from the wealthy couple, six of the 200 lots were purchased by AME Zion church, a historically African American denomination. What began as a gathering of predominantly Black property owners, later turned into a refuge for newly freed slaves to build a small empire.

2. The village is speculated to have been a part of the Underground Railroad.

In addition to Seneca Village’s interesting history, the small Central Park coterie was known to be a stop on the notorious Underground Railroad. Abolitionists such as Albro Lyons, a Black conductor for the railroad, bought pieces of Seneca land that he owned and inhabited. A recent Timeline article reports that "the African Society so instrumental in founding the village was reputed to have a hidden basement for hiding runaway slaves.” In addition, the history behind the name “Seneca Village” is said to have come from a philosophy book entitled, Seneca’s Morals, a text that was popular with abolitionist activists. The linkage between the book and the village's name was speculated to be a code for runaway slaves to look out for when seeking refuge.

3. Seneca Village survived for 32 years before being torn down.

What most are unaware of is that this small African American enclave was able to survive external debilitating racial conflicts for about 32 years before being torn down. By 1885, the town inhabited approximately 225 residents that owned half of their own homes, which were comprised of 50 houses, three churches, burial grounds and a school for African American children. What served as a thriving African American community for many years was ultimately the creation of a utopian society that provided an escape for Black Americans to flee the unhealthy crowded living conditions of New York City during that time.

4. Of the 100 Black New Yorkers eligible to vote In 1845, 10 lived in Seneca Village.

Unlike many stereotypical narratives that often claimed Black people as poor and squadrons, Seneca Village harbored 10 residents who were given voting rights in 1845. According to the Central Park Conservancy, New York State required African American men to own at least $250 in property, as well as hold residency for three years to be able to vote. “Seneca residents displayed an unusual permanency at a time much of America was in motion. Virtually every Black Seneca family counted in the 1850 census was still there five years later; in contrast, 40 percent of the population of Boston moved in the same five years. And of the 100 black New Yorkers eligible to vote in 1845, 10 lived in Seneca Village,” reports the New York Times.

Highlighted in a census record that showcases the history of Seneca Village residents, the record shows that the villagers were employed and commonly served as laborers that worked in service jobs. The record also highlights that among the Black villagers that took up residency, one-third were of Irish descent and a small number were of German descent. Since the community hosted predominantly working-class families that were on the rise to becoming middle-class residents, Seneca Village was a target for rich white aristocrats to plot on expanding their territory beyond the city streets, ultimately leading to the demise of the community.

5. 1600 Seneca Village residents received compensation for their land after receiving orders from the state to vacate their properties.

After 32 years of being a place for Black refugees to call home, Seneca Village residents were later ordered to vacate their properties in 1857, which resulted in 1600 inhabitants being displaced throughout the city. A majority of the residents moved to nearby regions, such as Sandy Ground in Staten Island and Skunk Hollow in New Jersey. After being displaced from their homes, Seneca Village landowners were compensated for their land; however, it was argued that the state undervalued purchase prices, making it easier to buy land at cheaper costs — a common displacing tactic that many of us know today as gentrification. 

In recent media coverage conducted by CBS News, white elitists saw Seneca Village as a key target for building a park that would rival famous European parks. “New York City elites wanted to create a park that rivaled those of Europe, they were drawn to the middle of Manhattan,” said Cynthia Copeland, president of the Institute for the Exploration of Seneca Village History. "There was a smear campaign that was created in the media: 'We've gotta get rid of all those people that live in the park that shouldn't be there. They are tramps, squatters, and thieves.' This is the kind of language that they used."

And though residents received compensation for their land, it is unknown whether Seneca village descendants have received reparations; however, a direct descendant of the 25-year-old shoeshiner that first inhabited Seneca Village was recently found when a researcher reached out to Andrew Thomas Williams IV, the great-great-great-grandson of Andrew Williams, via a Facebook message. 

"It almost felt like I found a treasure," said Andrew Thomas Williams IV to CBS News. "My great-grandfather had a music school where he taught music," Andrew said. "It made the whole Andrew Thomas Williams line so much better. I really truly now get that connection. It's not just a name."

Though the history of the village still remains much of a mystery, the small enclave that’s hidden under Central Park’s grounds holds a 100-year-old truth about our people that still lives on despite being erased from the public eye.