Timeline: 1951
Burch Court, 70 public housing units, was built for Black and white families. Known as Burch Village, it was named after Nathaniel Burch, an air mechanic who died in a plane crash.
Tinsley’s Cleaners opens, operated by Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Tinsley and located on the First Street Corridor.
Clarice Davis was the first Black Homecoming Queen to be selected at the University of Illinois and in the Big Ten.
Walt Moore integrated the University of Illinois Varsity Basketball team.
The African American baseball team the Eagles debut, owned by Wardell Jackson. Mr. Jackson bought land and developed a baseball diamond bordered by Bradley Avenue, Romine, and Beasley Streets that became known as Eagle Park. It is now part of Douglass Park.
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