Elkinsville makes its historic return

Town was founded by free man of color in 1880 and was also known as ‘Freetown’

When the historic marker went up bearing the name “Elkinsville,” there was much to remember and celebrate in St. Rose.

“We wanted to really signify this is a historical community,” said Richard “Ricardo” Smith of the Elkinsville Historical Restoration Association. “There are two churches in the community and both are well over 100 years old (Mount Zion Baptist Church and Fifth African Baptist Church). Both of these churches are in the community called ‘Elkinsville’ and at some time called ‘Freetown’ because that is what it represents to its people.”

Last Thursday, following nearly four years of documenting the history for the move, the St. Charles Parish government erected the historical marker designating four streets in St. Rose as “Elkinsville.”

Parish President Larry Cochran said the area is little known, but very historic for the parish.

“The Elkinsville Historic Restoration Association has worked for several years to make this happen,” Cochran said. “And we hope this marker will both identify the area to residents and visitors and give them a brief background of St. Rose history.”

For Smith, the sign is “driving that point home by calling the community by its historic name. It’s a learning process for everybody.”

Smith and Dwayne Harris, who co-founded the association about seven years ago, say the documentation required to get the marker took time, but it was found and now commemorates way more than just a place.

“Freed people of color bought and developed that land during that time, and started a community with other freed people of color,” Smith said. “I think that’s a monumental task and I think it’s worth being highlighted and never forgotten.”Harris said the marker instills “a sense of hope and prosperity to know where we came from and will progress in the future.”

Smith added the sign serves as a symbol of pride in the community.

Harris said, “Palmer Elkins was a freed slave and business owner that purchased more than a hundred acres of land to develop between River Road and Airline [Highway] in the 1800s. Those areas he developed right now are called 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Streets, but all four streets should be called Elkinsville.”

Elkins, who came from the North after the Civil War, bought about 160 acres at an auction for $943.50 and developed a community. Elkins helped educate freed men of color. In 1880, he asked several freed men of color to rear their families and receive training for a living in Elkinsville.Smith added many of the families there today could trace their roots to at least one of the individuals listed on the historical marker.

When the post office came to the area, Harris said it bore the name St. Rose and over time the area’s original name faded away.

According to Smith, “Moving forward, it’s important for anyone to know where we are, also to know its historical value.”

The two also attributed the marker to fellow association members: Myrna Guidry, Deborah Zeringue, Mary Augillard, Leslie Carter, Patricia Harris, Anorna Johnson, Betty Smith, Evelyn Smith, Deborah Smith, Ina Lynn Rising, Alphonse Eugene, Ingrid Green Adams, Royal Harris and Minister Brian Joseph.

Their efforts are equally focused on the area’s future, including revitalizing it economically.

Smith said the parish has donated a tract of land on First Street for a community center.

To Harris, the marker also represents their efforts to preserve the integrity of a neighborhood more than 150 years old.

“We have had numerous professionals born and raised in St. Rose and moved out,” he said. “But there are some who are still in St. Rose and we want it to be a place we can continue to raise our children and teach them the ways of life in an environment we can call home.”