In the late 19th century, over twenty African American farming communities existed in the state of Indiana. They were populated by formerly enslaved people and free persons of color who, post-Civil War, were looking to establish a sense of identity and place in a nation that offered both opportunity and hostility. These enclaves fostered the ideals of collective progress and rightful independence amongst inhabitants. They also provided safe havens from a world that engaged in constantly evolving tactics to subdue and oppress any effort made by these refugees of the state to reclaim their humanity. These communities operated in an incubatorymanner, which contributed to the building of a cooperative, self-sustaining way of living.