Charlest Higgins Johnson & The Legacy of The Castle
- charityschildren
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Charlest Higgins Johnson
1898-1970
Daughter of Rev. Charles D. Higgins & Jewelia Galloway Higgins
Second Great Grand Daughter of Charity Broady & John Broady II
A published poet and member of the Ohio Poets Roundtable. Her works include the collection of poetry, Echoes of Heart Throbs & Whispers of Love, as well as a radio show and newspaper column titled By the River of Life.
As a historian she authored “The First One Hundred Years: The History of First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Dayton, Ohio.”
Charlest and her husband Ernest Johnson were best known for purchasing and restoring The Old Castle on the Hill. The Castle welcomed the arts community from around the U.S. that included, Suffragist Haley Q. Brown, writer Langston Hughes, author and journalist JA Rogers. In 1934 Rogers featured Charlest in the Pittsburgh Courier describing her as, "One of America's most sensitive and lyrical poets," and noting The Castle for it's rare antiques and art objects.
Ernest E. Johnson & Sons
Ernest Johnson (1888–1949) Born in Harveysburg, Ohio, he rose from humble beginnings to become Dayton’s first Black Master Plumber, determined to break the cycle of generational poverty. He built a successful business serving clients across Ohio, including Mikesell’s Potato Chips, Ohio University’s Cutler Hall, and Dayton’s Riebold Building. His work stands as a testament to skill, perseverance, and Black enterprise in early twentieth-century Ohio. |
Old Castle on the Hill Multicultural Foundation
For decades, Emma Johnson Smith, a daughter of Ernest & Charlest, fought to preserve one of Dayton’s most meaningful historic homes — Recognizing its cultural and historical significance, she founded the Old Castle on the Hill Multicultural Foundation, envisioning the property restored and returned to the community as a place of heritage, learning, and pride.
Despite her tireless efforts, the Castle was demolished in January 2008 without notification to the family, bringing an abrupt end to a landmark that stood as a symbol of Dayton’s rich African American history.
In 2022, the site received national recognition when the National Trust for Historic Preservation included The Old Castle on the Hill among “1,000 Places Where Women Made History.” https://contest.savingplaces.org/f65s7goq
The honor affirmed what Emma had long known — that the Castle, it's rich history and the women who fought to preserve it were part of a story that deserved to be remembered.
Pictured above is Emma Johnson Smith, whose dedication carried the vision to protect the Castle for future generations. Overwhelmed by its loss, she passed away in July 2008 — but her commitment to preserving history continues to inspire this work today. She is the Inspiration for The Legacy of Charity's Children.
For more details check out our Award Winning Podcast The Legacy of Charity's Children Episode One - I Am My Ancestors Wildest Dreams
Listen, Like & Share — https://www.charityschildren.org/podcast
Upcoming Events
The stories preserved within the Higgins family archive continue to be shared through The Legacy of Charity’s Children and will soon be experienced live through two upcoming public events in Dayton.
June
Higgins Garden Dedication – June 27th
A public heritage event honoring the Higgins family legacy through landscape, history, and community gathering.
August
Just a Dream! – Live Podcast Performance & Exhibit
A live storytelling experience revealing a little-known story connecting the Higgins family and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar—drawn from the family archive and presented publicly for the first time.
More details and ticket information coming soon. Follow us for updates and early access.
We can’t do this without you! As Black families across the country work to reclaim histories erased from the record, this family story offers a rare, documented lineage that spans from the American Revolution to the present day.
We need you now - This Work Can’t Happen Without You! Each generation has a responsibility to document and tell their family’s story and in this generation, our work can’t be accomplished without you - whether through network building, community engagement, event attendance, volunteerism, or podcast sponsorship.
Thank you for your continued support. The Legacy of Charity’s Children, Black history, heritage and perspectives will not be rescued and can not be preserved without your commitment. Charity’s Children Project, Inc. https://www.daytonfoundation.org/donate-credit-card? Source=EXT&ReturnFundID=8849&ReturnFundName=The_Charity's_Children_Project_Fund © 2026 Charity's Children is a trademark of The Legacy of Charity's Children LLC, Photos used with permission. |
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