2 panels:
A. THE NEGRO IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY--EXPLORATION AND COLONIZATION
B. THE NEGRO IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY--SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

Media Notes
A. Oil on canvas, on led as enter
B. Oil on canvas, on right as enter e Woodruff

Description
A. Covers approximately 1527-1850, portraying African-Americans who played a signiflcant role in California's early period after the arrival of Europeans. Among those pictured are ex-slave/ philanthropist Biddy Mason, explorer James Beckwourth, government offlcial William Leidesdorff, and U.S. Consul Thomas 0. darken.

B. Covers approximately 1850-1949. Less focus on indtvldual heroes. Depicts gold miners, Boulder Dam constmctton workers, Pony Express riders, etc. Restored in 1985 by Richard Wyatt because the paint was cracking.
In 1925, the small Black-owned which later became Golden State Mutual, began business as an upstairs storefront operation on South Central Avenue near downtown Los Angeles. Its sole purpose was to provide local African-Americans with insurance because no other flnancial institution would. Today Golden State is licensed in 22 states plus the District of Columbia.