The home of the Army's first Black colonel and Buffalo Soldiers leader.
Photo: Nyttend · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
In Wilberforce, Ohio, beside one of the nation's oldest historically Black universities, stands 'Youngsholm' — the home of Colonel Charles Young (1864–1922). Born into slavery, Young became the third Black graduate of West Point, the first Black colonel in the U.S. Army, a leader of the Buffalo Soldiers, a diplomat in Haiti and Liberia, and — remarkably — the first Black superintendent of a national park (Sequoia, in 1903, where his troops built roads). Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument preserves his house and tells his extraordinary story.
It's free, and a moving stop. The restored home and a visitor-center museum trace Young's life against the systemic racism he overcame, and honor the Buffalo Soldiers he led. The site's most powerful single episode: in 1918, after being forced into medical retirement in a move widely seen as racially motivated, the 54-year-old Young rode roughly 500 miles on horseback from Ohio to Washington, D.C., to prove his fitness for duty. (He was posthumously promoted to brigadier general in 2021.)
It pairs beautifully with the neighboring National Afro-American Museum and the Wilberforce and Central State campuses, less than a mile east up US-42. The house itself has a second history: it was a stop on the Underground Railroad before Young bought it in 1907. The park publishes no fixed hours — the grounds and the two historical markers can be seen any time, but if you want inside the house, call 937-352-6757 first. This is humid Ohio country — warm summers, cold snowy winters — with spring and fall pleasant for walking the grounds. It's at 1120 US Route 42 E, about 35 minutes southeast of Dayton.
The 1839 brick farmhouse Charles Young bought in 1907 while teaching at Wilberforce University and named 'Youngsholm' — the monument's restored centerpiece, and a station on the Underground Railroad long before he owned it.
Insider tipThe house doubles as the park's visitor center, but it opens for scheduled open houses and by arrangement rather than on set hours — call 937-352-6757 rather than arriving cold.
Plan a trip to this spot →Exhibits and a short film tell Young's arc — born into slavery, third Black West Point graduate (1889), Buffalo Soldiers officer, diplomat, and the first Black national-park superintendent (Sequoia, 1903).
Insider tipWatch the film first — it frames the house tour and the Buffalo Soldiers context.
Plan a trip to this spot →The monument honors the African American Army regiments Young led and their decades of service — including their pioneering role protecting the early national parks.
Insider tipAsk staff about the link between Buffalo Soldiers and park stewardship — Young's Sequoia road-building is a direct thread.
Plan a trip to this spot →After being forced into medical retirement in 1917, the 54-year-old Young rode ~500 miles from Wilberforce to Washington, D.C., to prove his fitness for active duty.
Insider tipLook for this story in the exhibits — it's the site's most powerful single episode and a touchstone for Young's character.
Plan a trip to this spot →The ~60-acre site preserves the farm fields and grounds around the home — generally open during daylight even when the house isn't.
Insider tipBring comfortable shoes and walk the grounds in spring or fall — the outdoor portion of the visit.
Plan a trip to this spot →Youngsholm sits less than a mile west of Wilberforce University (where Young taught and befriended W.E.B. Du Bois) and Central State University, near the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center.
Insider tipPair the monument with the Afro-American Museum the same day — they're essentially neighbors and make a fuller half-day of Black history.
Plan a trip to this spot →Humid continental at ~900 feet: warm, humid summers (June–August highs in the low-to-mid 80s, with afternoon thunderstorms and a May rainfall peak) and cold, snowy winters. Rain is spread fairly evenly. Spring and fall are most pleasant for touring the grounds — and since most of the visit is indoors, weather mainly matters for the cultural landscape.
In Wilberforce on US-42 — free to enter and free to park.
1120 US Route 42 E in Wilberforce, ~35 min southeast of Dayton (~1.25 hr from Columbus or Cincinnati). From Dayton take US-35 east into Xenia, then left on US-42 for about 2.5 miles; from I-71 use the US-35 west exit, then N. Bickett Road to US-42. No entrance or parking fee; plan 1–1.5 hours. The grounds and historical markers are viewable any time, but the house opens only for open houses and arranged tours — call 937-352-6757 first.
No lodging in the monument — stay nearby.
Xenia (closest, a few miles away) and Beavercreek (Dayton suburb, ~15–20 min) have motels and chain hotels.
Booking tipBeavercreek has the most rooms near I-675.
The fullest range of hotels, dining, and attractions (~35 min northwest).
Booking tipCharming Yellow Springs (~15 min) has a few inns too.
Is it free?
Yes — no entrance fee, no parking fee, and no pass required. The passport stamp is inside the visitor center.
Who was Charles Young and why does the site matter?
Born to enslaved parents in Mays Lick, Kentucky, in 1864, Young became the third Black West Point graduate (1889) and the first Black colonel in the U.S. Army. He led Buffalo Soldiers, served as a diplomat in Haiti and Liberia, and was the first Black national-park superintendent (Sequoia, 1903). He died in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1922 and is buried at Arlington. On 1 November 2021 he was posthumously promoted to brigadier general.
What is there to see?
His restored home, 'Youngsholm', which also serves as the visitor center; exhibits on his life and the Buffalo Soldiers; a ten-minute intro film (also viewable online before you come); the historical markers out front; and the cultural-landscape grounds.
What's the 1918 ride?
After being forced into medical retirement in 1917 (widely viewed as racially motivated), Young rode ~500 miles on horseback from Wilberforce, Ohio, to Washington, D.C., to prove he was fit for active duty.
What are the visiting hours?
The Park Service posts none. The grounds, the parking lot, and the two historical markers out front are open for self-guided visits any time. The house — which is also the visitor center — opens for scheduled open houses and by arrangement, so call the park line at 937-352-6757 to line up a tour before you drive out.
What are the nearby ties?
The site neighbors Wilberforce University (where Young taught) and Central State University — both HBCUs — and the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center, all in Wilberforce.
Pick your vehicle, line up the stops on the way in and out, and carry the whole route in your pocket.
