In 1903, America’s first Black national park superintendent took charge at Sequoia; his troops completed more improvements that summer than the previous three years combined

In the summer of 1903, Captain Charles Young became the first Black acting superintendent of a national park when he took charge of Sequoia and General Grant national parks in California. His assignment lasted only one summer, but during that time, he oversaw major work on roads and trails while Buffalo Soldiers helped protect the parks.

Young was serving as a captain of an all-Black regiment at San Francisco's Presidio when he was asked to take troops to Sequoia and General Grant national parks. The parks, which today encompass Sequoia National Park and part of Kings Canyon National Park, were still relatively undeveloped and difficult to access.