It’s the sort of thing Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder says needs to be done more often, as a way to teach the public about the city’s rich history.
The city has designated Jackson Street from about the Lincoln Home to Washington School “Harry Marshall Way”, after the Springfield resident who was a former Sangamon County Deputy Sheriff, and the first African-American U.S. Marshall for the Central Illinois District.
“That’s something we’re working on, or will continue to work on, is embracing our history and pointing that out,” says Langfelder. “It’s just not with this signage. There’s other markers throughout Springfield that need the same commemoration, make them stand out more, so we can really embrace our historic nature within Springfield.”
Langfelder cites the spot of the 1908 race riots as an example of a potential teaching tool.
“We seem to always talk about people that are far removed from Springfield,” says Ald. Doris Turner, Ward 3. “I think it’s really important for our local history and for our children, and those that are coming behind us, that we recognize those history-makers that are right here in our community that have walked among us, lived among us, and really made a different while they were here.”
Family members of Marshall spearheaded the “Harry Marshall Way” effort.
