Celebrating Black History: Honoring Indio’s Black pioneers
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - For Black History Month, News Channel 3 will be spotlighting Black trailblazers and pioneers who've had a significant impact on the Coachella Valley. John Nobles was the first African American to own land in the Coachella Valley in the 1930s. Known as "Nobles Ranch," the plot of land, which sits behind what used to Indio Fashion Mall, had several homes belonging to African American families.
"It allowed a safe haven for African-Americans to have a place to live, to interact amongst each other, to have a sustainable place for them to raise their children and families and grow community," says Troy Strange, a relative of John Nobles and the first Black councilmember of the city.
Strange grew up on Nobles Ranch and says it was a thriving Black neighborhood with businesses, churches and even an apartment building owned by his Uncle.
"Everywhere you went, you knew someone. They knew you. They looked out for you and made sure that you were taken care of," says Strange.
In the 1980s, the city wanted to expand the Indio Fashion Mall in front of Nobles Ranch, forcing residents in the neighborhood to relocate. Another Indio local who grew up on Nobles Ranch was Bessie Walls, the daughter of Leo Haynes.
Leo Haynes was also a Black pioneer in the city, being one of the few Black business owners during his time. He owned the Indio Yellow Cab company for several years, and just last year, the city named the Indio Multi-Modal Transportation Center after Leo Haynes and his wife Nona Haynes. Leo Haynes was also a veteran and director of Teen Post for 54 years.
