Another Ohio Historic Marker is in the ground of the Little Cities microregion, commemorating another of our nationally significant stories. Rendville Mayor Bryan Bailey welcomed about 65 visitors and residents to Rendville on Thursday, October 22 for the dedication of the marker entitled Rendville: Breaking the Color Barrier. The marker represents the accomplishments of six African Americans from Rendville whose “firsts” and other accomplishments paved the way for African Americans in Ohio and the nation in their struggle for equality.

The marker is located next to the Rendville Town Hall on Main Street of the village reached off State Route 13, just north of Corning in southern Perry County. The event came at the end of a summer and fall of volunteerism by Ohio University students and local residents as the exterior of a vacant house next to the Town Hall green space was repaired and painted, as was the exterior of the town hall building. Students from the classes of Dr. Frans Doppen from the Patton College of Education and Human Services at Ohio University played a critical role in the marker project, raising the majority of funds for the purchase of the marker and the house repair as well. The project was also supported by a $500 contribution in memory of former Miller High School teacher Ruth Burgess. After an invocation by local religious leader Jean Harris, Dr. Ron Lewis, Director of African American Studies at Ohio University addressed guests reinforcing the importance of the Rendville story in the nation’s history. Introduced by his Department Chair Dr. John Henning, Dr. Doppen shared portions of his research on the marker content, emphasizing the written words of Rendville union organizer Richard L. Davis, who rose to the executive committee of the United Mine Workers during the 1890’s, breaking the color barrier in that organization well before most institutions welcomed people of color to leadership positions. Bonnie Such was on hand from the Ohio Historical Society, commending the community and volunteers for their efforts before the unveiling the marker which was covered in a special cover that she had brought for the occasion.

In addition to Richard L. Davis, the marker recognized industrialist William P. Rend who founded the town and was known for his efforts to bridge the gap between the miners and mine owners during the period of union organizing here in the late 1800’s; Dr. Isaiah Tuppins, Ohio’s first African American medical doctor and first elected African American mayor; Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Sr., who came to Rendville as a young miner and went on to become minister of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, America’s largest protestant congregation, where he founded the Urban League and the NAACP; Roberta Preston, Ohio’s first African American woman postmaster; and, Sophia Mitchell, Ohio‘s first African American woman mayor.

A number of former Rendville residents were on hand for the event, including family members of honoree Sophia Mitchell. Expressions of pride and gratitude were commonplace among attendees. Persons interested in keeping the Rendville History movement alive should contact Dr. Doppen at doppen@ohio.edu or by contacting the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council. With the support of Mayor Bailey and the Little Cities Council, Doppen plans to continue raising funds for additional markers and town upgrades in Rendville, so the interesting story of this community is kept alive.

Organizers of the marker initiative also extend special thanks to the Monroe Township Trustees for providing a boom truck to paint the town hall bell tower; and to the staff and artists at the Rendville Art Works for their volunteer hours and restroom access during work days.