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Honoring Freedom and Legacy: Springdale Cemetery’s Juneteenth Driving Tour
At Springdale Cemetery, our mission is “Celebrating Life. Safeguarding History”. As we approach Juneteenth—the national commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States—we invite the Peoria community to connect with our city’s profound Black history through a special self-guided Juneteenth Driving Tour taking place all through June.
This tour highlights the extraordinary lives and resting places of Black trailblazers, military heroes, civil rights leaders, and community pillars who helped shape Peoria and the nation. By following the tour map, visitors will discover the powerful stories of these local pioneers, including:
A Living Link to the First Juneteenth: Amanda E. Costley Lewis carries an incredible family legacy. Her mother was the first African American slave freed by attorney Abraham Lincoln in 1841. Decades later, her brother, William Henry Costley, served as a Union soldier and was actually present in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865—the very first Juneteenth.
A Century of Devotion: Evelyn Serena Smith Stafford lived 103 years of dedicated service as an elder care advocate in Peoria. In a moment of profound symmetry, she passed away on Juneteenth 2024, joining this community of legacy on the exact day we honor freedom.
Civil Rights & Civic Leaders: The tour honors tireless advocates like John Henry Gwynn Jr., who served as president of the Peoria NAACP for over 30 years, and Mark Clark, who founded the city’s Black Panther Party chapter and established community care programs at age 22. You will also find the resting place of Henry C. Gibson, the first African American elected to public office in Peoria.
Educators & Professionals: Pay tribute to Dr. Romeo B. Garrett, the first African American professor hired by Bradley University, and Julia Lindsay Gibson, recognized as Peoria’s first chiropodist.
Military Heroes: Honor the courage of veterans like Joseph Johnson Sr., who ran away from slavery to fight for the Union Army in the Civil War, and Captain Roy Burrell Tisdell, a decorated World War I hero who served with the “Black Devils” in the only U.S. combat unit commanded entirely of Black officers.
Sports Pioneers: Visit the recently marked grave of Jonathan Boyce “Steel Arm Johnny” Taylor, a pitcher and manager in the Negro Leagues who managed the Peoria Black Devils.
Join Us for the Tour
The Juneteenth Driving Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore these stories at your own pace while taking in the beautiful, historic grounds of Springdale Cemetery.
The tour begins at our main entrance at 3014 N. Prospect Road, Peoria. Click here to download Juneteenth Tour map.
Come celebrate freedom, honor legacy, and safeguard Peoria’s history with us!