Ralph Elwood Brock - America's First Black Forestry School Graduate

Ralph Elwood Brock (February 15, 1881 – December 9, 1959) is recognized as a pivotal figure in the history of American forestry, celebrated as the first African American to receive formal training in the field. His journey, marked by academic success and professional dedication, also reflects the racial prejudice of his time. Brock’s contributions, though sometimes overlooked, laid a foundation for greater diversity and inclusion in forestry and conservation.

Ralph Brock’s Early Life and Education

Born near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Ralph was one of seven children born to Rev. John C. Brock and Alcinda Jane (Dickson) Brock. His father, a Civil War veteran who served in the 43rd Colored Infantry Regiment, instilled in him the values of education and service. He worked as a schoolteacher and minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The family’s moves across Pennsylvania exposed young Ralph to various communities and educational opportunities. In 1900, he graduated from Howard High School in Wilmington, Delaware, a well-regarded preparatory school for African American students.

Brock’s passion for botany caught the attention of West Chester school superintendent Addison L. Jones, who introduced him to Pennsylvania forestry commissioner Dr. Joseph Trimble Rothrock. Rothrock, recognized as the “father of Pennsylvania forestry,” became a mentor to Brock, recognizing his potential in the burgeoning field.

Brock’s Becomes a Trailblazer in Forestry Education

Under Rothrock’s guidance, Brock briefly studied botany at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1901, Rothrock appointed Brock as a student assistant forester under forester George H. Wirt to help establish the Mont Alto State Forest Reserve (now Michaux State Forest). This hands-on experience was pivotal in shaping Brock’s career.

In 1903, Brock enrolled in the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy (now Penn State Mont Alto), one of only three forestry schools in the United States at that time. He excelled academically, graduating second in his class in 1906. Notably, he was the only African American in his cohort, making him the first academically trained Black forester in Pennsylvania and the United States.

Ralph Brock sits among his classmates. Image Courtesy of Penn State

Ralph Brock’s Contributions to Forestry Practices

Upon graduating, Brock became the full-time supervisor of the Mont Alto State Forest’s seed nursery from September 1, 1906, until March 1, 1911. He managed a predominantly White staff and students while overseeing nursery operations. His responsibilities included writing technical reports and presenting papers at forestry conventions. At the first state foresters’ convention in 1908, Brock presented on “Fertilizers in Renewing Nursery Soil” and “Broadcast Sowing vs. Drill Planting.” His work contributed significantly to early forestry practices in Pennsylvania.

Brock also made significant contributions to soil management by perfecting compost use for healthy soil maintenance. His expertise was recognized within the forestry community through his article “The Raising of the Hardy Catalpa,” published in Forest Leaves, the official publication of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association.

Excerpt from “The Raising of the Hardy Catalpa” Written by Brock

In this article, Brock detailed his insights on cultivating catalpa trees:

The Catalpa is a tree that has been largely neglected by our nurserymen; yet it is one that can be grown with little care and has many valuable qualities… It is an excellent tree for timber purposes due to its rapid growth rate and resistance to decay.

it is evident that Brock focused on promoting the catalpa tree due to its ease of cultivation and valuable timber qualities. Brock’s advocacy for the catalpa tree may have encouraged nurserymen to consider its potential, influencing forestry practices by introducing a readily grown and decay-resistant timber source.

Other works by Ralph Brock during his tenure were published in the publications from the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry between 1907 and 1910.

Facing Challenges: Racial Prejudice and Professional Setbacks

Despite his expertise and contributions, Brock faced racial prejudice during his tenure at Mont Alto. Accounts suggest that some White students and staff struggled to accept his authority. As one 1909 academy alumnus wrote:

Brock had a hard time of it for none of the boys could quite content himself being ordered around by an [African American], regardless of his ability.

In 1911, Brock resigned from state service. While exact reasons are not fully documented, historians believe that racism played a significant role in his decision.

Ralph Brock Transitions to Private Forestry

In the early 1920s, Ralph Elwood Brock and his wife, Pauline, relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he entered the nursery business. By 1928, they had moved to New York City, where Brock became the private gardener for the Paul Laurence Dunbar Apartment complex in Harlem. He continued this role until 1937 and also worked at Riverside Park and Radio City Gardens in Rockefeller Center during this time.

Brock retired in 1957, and two years later, he passed away on December 9, 1959, at the age of 78. He was laid to rest in Chestnut Grove Cemetery in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

In February 2000, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources honored his legacy by renaming a seed-production orchard in Franklin County to the Ralph E. Brock Seed Orchard. Then, in April 2003, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved a historical marker to highlight Brock’s significance. This roadside marker is located near the entrance to the Penn State Mont Alto campus along Route 233. Nearby, George Wirt was also recognized with a historical marker.

Legacy: Honoring Ralph Elwood Brock’s Contributions

Ralph Elwood Brock’s career serves as an inspiration despite challenges faced throughout his life. He broke barriers as the first African American formally trained in forestry while making valuable contributions to early conservation efforts in Pennsylvania. In recognition of his legacy, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission honored him with a state historical marker at Penn State Mont Alto campus in 2003.

The Ralph E. Brock Seed Orchard, formerly known as the South Mountain Seed Orchard, is a seed-production orchard in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. It was renamed in February 2000 by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to honor Ralph Elwood Brock, Pennsylvania’s first African American graduate forester. The South Mountain Seed Orchard was long a mainstay of state forest seed and seedling production in the state. The renaming served as a tribute to Brock’s contributions to forestry and conservation in Pennsylvania. The Ralph E. Brock Seed Orchard is located about two miles from Mont Alto.

Brock’s story is vital for understanding both environmental history and racial dynamics within professional fields like forestry—demonstrating how individuals can overcome adversity while contributing significantly to their communities.

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