Dr. Ellis Subdivision
Northeast Urbana between Goodwin Avenue and Wright Street
The Dr. Ellis Subdivision, developed in 1961, is located in northeast Urbana. It is the third single-family subdivision created for African Americans in Champaign-Urbana after Carver Park in 1951 and Crispus Attucks Place in 1953. The subdivision was originally just outside city limits on undeveloped farmland. Today, the subdivision is situated in the historically African American North End neighborhood, between Wright Street to the east and Goodwin Avenue to the west, and Eads Street to the south and Bradley Avenue to the north. The Dr. Ellis subdivision was named for Dr. Harry D. Ellis, born December 31, 1894, to Charles and Carrie Ellis in Springfield, Illinois. 📍
Dr. Ellis served in World War I as a musician from 1917 to 1919 with the all-African American 370th Infantry, 93rd Division. This Division was the only regiment commanded by African American officers. While most African American regiments were relegated to labor and service roles during World War I, the 93rd Division did see combat. The Division served alongside France, with troops even wearing the French army’s distinctive blue helmets, which became their insignia. During the war, the 93rd Division faced less discrimination from the French than their white American counterparts.
After the war, Ellis attended the University of Illinois Medical College and later became the second African American doctor to practice in the twin cities. His practice was located at 112 N. Walnut St. in Champaign. In addition to practicing medicine, Ellis was extremely active in the community. In the 1910s, he played banjo in the Raymond Scott Band. Later, he served as a founding member and treasurer of the William F. Earnest American Legion Post #559, treasurer of the Advisory Committee that helped open the Douglass Community Center, and President of the Frederick Douglass Civic League. When Dr. Ellis died in 1946, he lay in state at the Douglass Community Center, the place he helped build. He was buried in the World War I veterans’ section of Mount Hope Cemetery in Champaign, Illinois.
SOURCES:
“Your Legacy Too,” On-line Exhibit, Museum of the Grand Prairie.Â
Obituaries and Douglass Center materials from the Doris Hoskins Archives, Museum of the Grand Prairie.
1942 City Directory, CCHA.
1935 Champaign and Urbana City Directory,Â
Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60714290/harry-d-ellis/photo
United States Army: https://www.army.mil/article/242791/the_story_of_the_only_regiment_commanded_entirely_by_black_officers_during_world_war_i
United States National Guard: https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/653966/black-history-month-highlighting-the-93rd-division-in-world-war-i/
The Honor Book: Sangamon County, p.1089: http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/isl8/id/3943
Oscar W. Doward, Jr., Major, USA. “Determining if the Actions of African American Combat Forces During World War I Positively Affected the Employment of African American Combat Soldiers During World War II.” (Master’s Thesis). https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA471226.pdf
Decade:
1950-1959
People:
- Dr. Henry D. Ellis
Location(s):
- Urbana, Illinois
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