Top: Booker T. Washington and Frank A. Miller at the summit of Mount Rubidoux (The collection of the Mission Inn Foundation), Below: Mt. Rubidoux bathed in golden light (Bob Sirotnik).
The Friends of Mt. Rubidoux, Riverside African American Historical Society, and Riverside Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department will close out Black History Month on Friday, February 28, 2025. From 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., with a special commemorative event. A bronze tablet will be placed near the summit of Mount Rubidoux, honoring the 1914 visit of Booker T. Washington, the renowned educator, orator, and advocate for African American advancement, alongside his host, Frank A. Miller, the founder of the Mission Inn.
In his recent piece in the Raincross Gazette, Glenn Wenzel described Washington's day in Riverside, which culminated at the summit of Mount Rubidoux. "On March 22, 1914, Booker T. Washington visited Riverside and was a guest of Frank Miller at the Mission Inn. Washington spoke at two local churches, Sherman Institute and the Mission Inn." Wenzel writes, "Sometime that day, Frank A. Miller took Booker T. Washington up Mount Rubidoux to view Riverside and the surrounding area. A photograph of the two men standing near the summit was taken and is in the collection of the Mission Inn Foundation."
The bronze tablet itself, measuring 37 inches by 20 inches, will feature a recreation of the famous photograph of Washington and Miller at the summit, alongside an inscription detailing the key locations Washington visited during his busy day in Riverside: the First Congregational Church, the Second Baptist Church, the Sherman Institute (now Sherman Indian High School), and the Mission Inn. This tablet will serve as a permanent reminder of this historic visit and the connection between these two men.
The tablet dedication ceremony will take place at the mountain's summit and feature a community choir, providing a musical backdrop to the occasion. Councilmember Philip Falcone will deliver remarks in commemoration of the tablet's placement as an official representative of the city. Glenn Wenzel, a local historian, will offer insights into Booker T. Washington's visit, drawing from newspaper accounts and historical documents.
Claudia Rodriguez of the Friends of Mt. Rubidoux gave a rundown of the hour-long ceremony. "Riverside Unified School District's (RUSD) Heritage Program will read excerpts from Booker T. Washington's writings and perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the "Black national anthem." A representative from the First Congregational Church, one of the places Washington visited during his 1914 tour, will offer an invocation. The presence of Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., a descendant of both Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass, will further connect attendees with the past, offering a tangible link to these pivotal figures in American history."
Attendance is free and open to the public. Guests should note that no transportation will be provided, requiring a 1.5-mile uphill walk or hike. Limited seating will be available, so bringing a camp chair is recommended.
