Points of Pride
The points of pride are brief histories of people, places, art, and events of historical relevance within Champaign County. Check back often as we continue to share history as it is uncovered in the community.
Points of Pride are categorized by Visual Arts, Community, Education, Military, Government, and Social Life.
Image credit: Champaign Public Library - Douglass Branch
Visual Arts
Frederick Douglass: In Remembrance
The sculpture "Frederick Douglass: In Remembrance" is owned by the Champaign Public Library and sits at the entrance to the Douglass Branch building at Douglass Park (501 E. Eureka St.). The Library quotes the sculptor, Preston Jackson, in describing the work as "an archway piece — it is a two-way door that symbolizes a gateway to both the past and the future."
Image credit: Cunningham Township
Visual Arts
In the Sunshine
The window murals at Cunningham Township (205 & 205 1/2 W. Green St., Urbana) were designed by BLACKMAU (a collaboration between artists Stacey Robinson and Kamau Grantham). The murals feature African American children playing and having fun against a backdrop of buildings and stars.
Image credit: Urbana Park District
Visual Arts
Jettie Rhodes Day Community Mural
Artist Lisa Kesler assembled colorful panels painted by children and installed the piece at King Park (915 W. Wascher St., Urbana) in 2019 for the Jettie Rhodes Day Celebration. Together, the panels depict the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Image credit: Mural by Langston Allston. Image from Smile Politely (September 2, 2020).
Visual Arts
North First Street Barbershop Mural
Artist Langston Allston, who has roots in Champaign County, completed a mural in 2020 on the side of North First Street Barber Shop (204 N. First Street, Champaign). The mural received significant support and funding from community members.
Image credit: News-Gazette (October 20, 2009)
Visual Arts
A Pictorial History of African Americans of Champaign County
Artist Angela M. Rivers, daughter of Al Rivers, grew up in Champaign, Illinois. In 1978, she oversaw 20 young adults to create a mural on the side of a garage at Park and Fifth Streets that would reflect the history and contributions of people of African descent from ancient Egypt to present-day Champaign County. The iconic mural, titled "A Pictorial History of African Americans of Champaign County," was sometimes referred to colloquially as the Park Street Mural.
Image credit: Above: Champaign County Historical Archives at The Urbana Free Library │Below: Champaign Park District
Community
Erma Bridgewater Way and Park
Erma Bridgewater was a local civil rights leader who dedicated much of her life to improving the community and advocating for change. Among her many accomplishments, she was an Assistant Director at the Lawhead U.S.O. and worked as the Assistant Director, and then Director, of the Douglass Center from 1939 to 1964. The Champaign Park District dedicated a pocket park in her honor on July 8, 1992. The park is located at 1115 N. Market Street. On June 4, 2013, the Champaign City Council designated Washington Street, between Fourth Street and Wright Street, as Honorary Erma Bridgewater Way.
Image credit: Promise Health Care
Community
Frances Nelson Health Center
The Frances Nelson Health Center honors the legacy of Frances Nelson, who provided care and housing for homeless African American children in the 1940s. It was originally established as a free and equal access health clinic in 1969, operating out of Frances Nelson's former home, before the clinic moved to its current location (819 Bloomington Road, Champaign) in 2006. The Frances Nelson Dental Center opened in 2011. In 2012, ownership of both clinics changed to Promise Healthcare.
Image credit: Top Image: In All My Years: Portraits of Older Blacks in Champaign-Urbana" by Raymond Bial (Champaign County Historical Museum)
Community
Holts Drive
Part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Subdivision in Champaign, Holts Drive is named for Willie Holt (1900-1985), a businessman in Champaign-Urbana’s African American community who operated a sanitary hauling business for over 20 years. Born in Paris, TN, on December 25, 1900, his family were primarily farmers. He moved to Champaign in 1921 where he and his wife, Effie, raised their five children. For many years he worked for the Clifford-Jacob forging plant. In 1940, Mr. Holt went into business for himself, retiring in the mid-1960s. He was active in the community, serving as an ordained deacon at Salem Baptist Church and was a member and past treasurer of the University Elks Lodge 619.
Image credit: "In All My Years: Portraits of Older Blacks in Champaign-Urbana" by Raymond Bial (Champaign County Historical Museum)
Community
Honorary Allen Rivers, Sr. Street
In 2009, the Champaign City Council designated Park Street, between Wright and Fourth Streets, as Honorary Allen Rivers, Sr., Street, after Sergeant Allen Rivers. Sergeant Rivers was the first African American to serve in the Champaign Police Department, and the first African American to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The honorary street designation has since been retired as of 2022.
Image credit: "In All My Years: Portraits of Older Blacks in Champaign-Urbana" by Raymond Bial (Champaign County Historical Museum)
Community
Honorary Dawson Banks, Sr. Street
The Champaign City Council designated East Washington Street, between Phillips Drive and Fourth Street, as Honorary Dawson Banks, Sr. Street in 2022. The street name recognizes Dawson Banks and his business, Banks Barbeque Pit, which served as a safe place for African American children and teenagers to go after school. Among his many contributions to the community, Dawson Banks also served as a firefighter and active member of the Bethel AME Church.