Wildwood planning African American Heritage Trail to connect with Katy Trail | westnewsmagazine.com

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Wildwood is planning an African American heritage trail project in conjunction with the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee trail.

According to the city’s Planning and Parks Department, it will be a multi-use path, approximately 11 miles long, and connect to the Katy Trail. The southern terminus is located at John L. LeCave Memorial Trailhead.

Wildwood has an enduring African American heritage. It began during a period of enslavement under the Tyler and Coleman families on large plantations located on Madison Valley (formerly Old Slave Road), Babler State Park and along Wild Horse Creek Road.

During the Civil War, local freedom seekers enlisted in the United States Colored Troops (USCT) to fight for the Union and help secure their freedom.

More than 8,000 enslaved men in Missouri joined the USCT, including many who had previously worked the large hemp plantations just north of Babler State Park.

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Wildwood planning African American Heritage Trail to connect with Katy Trail | westnewsmagazine.com