Missourinet
The 92nd and newest facility in Missouri’s state parks system is the Sappington African American Cemetery state historic site in west-central Missouri’s Saline County, near Arrow Rock.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) speaks at the June 5, 2021 dedication of the Sappington African American Cemetery state historic site, near Arrow Rock (photo courtesy of Congressman Cleaver’s office)
The cemetery is located in the district of U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City). Cleaver notes about 350 burials have been detected at the Sappington site, including many slaves. The identities of many people buried there are unknown.
“It reminds us of an ugly period of time in Missouri and in our nation, a time when human beings would take ownership over other human beings,” Cleaver says.