At 40-foot-tall, the Kendleton monument is the third largest African American memorial in the country and is etched with Adinkra symbols from West Africa Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

The African American Heritage Monument stands proud in the waning light of the day in Kendleton, one of the first U.S. towns founded by freed slaves. 

The red hue of the nine 40-foot-tall, pre-cast concrete pillars in a cluster at the end of Juneteenth Plaza glow in the late-afternoon sun. Each of the columns is etched with West African symbols representing resilience. The monument is the largest African American memorial in Texas and the third-largest in the U.S.

The memorial came to fruition by the collaboration of Fort Bend County and the African American Memorial Conservancy. It was dedicated on Nov. 8, 2025. 

The heritage park takes up about 36 acres of the 236-acre Bates M. Allen Park. The walking trail circles two historic cemeteries, including the grave of Benjamin Franklin Williams, who was among the first group of Black state legislators. Stationed around the grounds are panels that describe the memorial and tell the history of African Americans in the area. 

The African American Heritage Monument and Park in Kendleton was dedicated in November 2025 at the site of one of the oldest Freedmen colonies in the country Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Future additions to the park include the Black Cowboy History Museum, a learning center and event space, new historical markers, and 95 sweetgum trees to honor 95 unidentified prisoners buried at the Sugar Land State Penitentiary. 

Following the Civil War, plantation owner William E. Kendall divided his property into 100-acre farms and sold the plots for $1 an acre to former slaves. Six families joined together to establish Kendleton 14 miles southwest of Rosenberg in western Fort Bend County as a commercial hub. It was one of the first Freedmen colonies in the country. By the 20th century Kendleton had a post office, stores, schools, churches, and 116 residents. The 2020 census recorded 343 residents. 

The African American Heritage Monument and Park is 47 miles southwest of Houston in Kendleton’s Bates Allen Park, a short distance off U.S. Highway 59 at the southern end of Charlie Roberts Lane. 

At the memorial site in Bates Allen Park are two historic cemeteries and walking trails Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

1,792nd in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere. Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/day-trips.

This article appears in February 6 • 2026.

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Gerald E. McLeod joined the Chronicle staff in November 1980 as a graphic designer. In April 1991 he began writing the “Day Trips” column. Besides the weekly travel column, he contributed “101 Swimming Holes,” “Guide to Central Texas Barbecue,” and “Guide to the Texas Hill Country.” His first 200 columns have been published in Day Trips Vol. I and Day Trips Vol. II.