1840s

The Second Baptist Church of Battle Creek begins to organize when a small group begins meeting informally at Reverend Parmalee’s and Reverend Harris’ house.

1849

Second Baptist Church of Battle Creek organized by Reverend Parmalee and Reverend Harris as the first predominantly black church. The first structure was a building leased from the First Methodist Church on E. Michigan and S. Division Streets. After it expanded, it moved to 321 East Michigan.

Early-1850s

Meetings of members who would later constitute Mt. Zion, A.M.E.; gatherings in a house on 349 Champion Street.

1850

Mt. Zion A.M.E organized and located on the southeast corner of Champion and Kendall Streets. The Mt. Zion Church, AME, was the fourth oldest A.M.E. church in Michigan and the second predominantly black church established in Battle Creek. Many early members, including George Marshall (who came to Battle Creek with his wife, Fannie, after the Civil War), were former slaves.

1860s

Mt. Zion, A.M.E. congregation moved to a small white frame building on the corner of Capital Avenue N.E. and E. Van Buren Street, into a building that had formerly been a Quaker meeting house.

1867

Mt. Zion, A.M.E., files for articles of association as the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

1871

Baptist Church built at 80 E. Michigan Avenue.

1877

Mt. Zion, A.M.E., purchased the building and property on Van Buren Street.

1878

Sportsmen and businessman form the Battle Creek Driving Park and Field Sports Association and buy 16 acres in the empty flats area.

1879

The Battle Creek Driving Park and Field Sports Association on the Washington flats opens its park for “driving and training horses, baseball and other field sports and maintaining an ornamental park and grounds.”

1880's

Growth on flats triggered by industrial development.

1881

John T. Ward buys wagon and horses and starts a hauling business with son, William, establishing Battle Creek’s oldest black-owned business.

1883

Case and Willard threshing machine company build a factory on a 50-acre site between the railroad tracks near South Kendall Street; the Flats become home to carpenters, molders, railroad workers, blacksmiths and boilermakers.

1884

Parsonage built directly next to Mr. Zion, A.M.E.

1886

“The colored billiard room that has been running on W. Jackson Street closed." (quotation from unmarked paper)

1887

Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Rivers at flood levels, the highest in 18 years; families on the Flats, including Hamblin Avenue, evacuated. The oven at the Rudolph Pomranz bakery on South Jefferson fills with water, and water is upwards of two feet deep in the Liberty Street and Hamblin Avenue areas. Water submerges Michigan Central Tracks.

1888

Maple Methodist Church organized in a residence on Cherry Street.

1890

Maple Methodist Church moved to 342 N.E. Capital.

Racetrack and park on the flats moved to a new park built by Walter Clark on the Eldred farm on Goguac Prairie.

1895

Building that later houses Bellman’s and Waiter’s Club erected by Peter Cosby on what was S. Jefferson Street. Crosby allows Salvation Army to use building rent free for five years.

Union Pump Co. founded at 87 SW Capital.

1898

First Pentecostal Church of Christ founded by Bishop C.H. Mason.

1900

Post begins building the Post Building on Main Street (W. Michigan Avenue) and McCamly.

1900-10s

Mt. Zion, A.M.E. expands under the direction of Reverend Becks.

1901

C.W. Post opens the Post Tavern as an elegant hotel on January 1.

1904

Battle Creek experiences the first major flood in 17 years; evacuations; sludge left on Hamblin Avenue.

1906

Mt. Zion, A.M.E. built at 364-366 West Van Buren; Church originally under the leadership of Reverend Becks (the permanent building).

1907

Michigan Carton Co. founded.

1908

Mt. Zion, A.M.E. completes building on Van Buren.

Diamond Club incident. The Diamond Club on Madison Street comes to police attention when police are called in to eject several members. One of the ejected men claimed that the proprietor, Max Bell, was selling liquor without a license.

Major flooding devastates the flats.

1909

Washington Heights United Methodist Church begins as a Sunday School and a predominantly white church.

c. 1911

About 30 men form a club called the Empire Club. Articles of association drawn up and sent to Lansing to be placed on file with the Office of the Secretary of State. The purpose of the club is “to promote the literary improvement and social enjoyment and provide reading and club rooms. It is understood that the organization is to be a normal one, and far different than the Diamond Club, the colored association noted for its gambling raids until it was dissolved some time ago.: Location of the Empire club TBA. The Empire Club would have an “educational aspect.”

1912

Flooding again devastates the flats.

1917

Dr. Claude L. Evans begins practice as a dentist in Battle Creek after graduating from the University of Michigan.

US Government decides to use an area six miles west of town to build military training camp covering 10,000 acres. This becomes Camp Custer, later renamed Fort Custer.

1918

Dr. Claude Evans publishes “A Directory and Business Guide for Colored Citizens of Battle Creek, Michigan."

The “Barber Shop” established on 73 Jefferson Street.

The Liberty Theater opens in Camp Custer.

1919

Odie Cromwell moves from Texas to Battle Creek, where he joins other musicians to perform at dances.

1923

Upton Avenue Original Church of God founded on Kalamazoo Street (later named Jackson Street).

St. Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church organized in the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Warfield on Washington Street. Pastor is P. Jamminson, and the presiding Elder is Reverend Coggins.

1923-30

Upton Avenue Original Church of God led by Pastor H.W. MacLurine.

1924

St. Marks purchased a building at 194 S. McCamly Street (this building later burned down) After the 1947 flood, the Church relocated to 83 Grand Trunk Avenue, to a building later sold to Archway Cookie Company.

Battle Creek chapter of the NAACP organized.

Jazz saxophone player, Clyde Higgins, who played with Duke Ellington, moves to Battle Creek.

Reverend Harsant N. Tantsi, born in South Africa, becomes pastor of Battle Creek’s Mt. Zion, A.M.E.

First Pentecostal Church of Christ establishes a congregation that meets in a small house at 182 S. Washington.

1927

Jefferson School opened.

Antioch Baptist Church, which would become the First Salem Missionary Baptist Church, is organized under the leadership of Reverend Gaines, at the home of Annie Bradley on 304 Hamblin Avenue.

1928

Julia Milner moves with her mother to Chicago, where she meets her future husband, Francis Milner.

Clifford Marshall quit his job as head bellman at the Post Tavern hotel. He soon opened and became the first president of his own club, the Bellman and Waiter’s Club. He opened the Bellman and Waiter’s with his friend, Louis Maxwell, at 86 Southwest Capital Avenue. “It opened with 158 members who paid $25 a year membership.” This was the first major black social club, and it included bellmen, waiters, cooks, Pullman car porters, soldiers, other laborers, and business owners. The club featured live music. “Battle Creek’s affluent patronized the Bellman Club while continuing in their roles as leaders of the community.” (Marshall owned the building at 86 SW Capital Avenue. The first floor became the club proper with a card room on the second floor; space for a barber shop was rented out, and proved a convenience to the patrons as well as the public.)

1931

Antioch Baptist Church (formerly the First Salem Missionary Baptist Church?), under the leadership of Reverend Amos, moves from Hamblin Avenue to 147 Parrish Street.

c. 1932

Upton Avenue Original Church of God moved to 431 Hamblin Avenue.

1932

Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church organized by Elder S.E. Wright. The Berean Church first holds its meetings at Mt. Zion, A.M.E., and later at the Battle Creek Academy on N. Kendall. In 1949, Berean Church is relocated to 420 W. Van Buren Street, and in 1979, work begins on a new church on 620 N. Washington Ave.

1933

Benjamin Franklin Eason opens the Blue Moon Café at 172 McCamly Street.

1935

Unions formed in four Battle Creek plants – Kellogg Co., Union Steam Pump Co., Ralston Purina Co., and Michigan Carton Co.

1936

Silas Thompson opens a restaurant tavern, the Black and Tan, at South Kendall and Hamblin Avenue. The tavern was a gathering place for both blacks and whites. During World War II, the clientele became mostly soldiers stationed at Fort Custer Military Base.

Altora Townsend comes to Battle Creek and begins preaching outdoors Bethlehem Temple, No. 9.

1937

Liquor license granted to the Bellman’s and Waiter’s Club.

Antioch Baptist Church moves from Parrish Street to 323 Hamblin Avenue, name of the Church changes to Shady Grove.

1938

Julia Milner marries Francis H. Milner and moves to Battle Creek.

1940

Articles of Incorporation of the Bellmen’s and Waiter’s Club certified.

Hugh Pettiford moves to Battle Creek. He and his brothers, Joseph and Samuel owned and operate the Mute Sandwich Shop at 80 S. Kendall St.. In 1945 the shop was sold to Frank Carter. In 1947, Hugh Pettiford bought the shop back again and named it Hugh’s Grill, “where soul food is a mainline and not a side line.”

1941

Feb 18: Sojourner Truth Association meets with city commissioners to discuss plans for a new community center. The Association, headed by Wade L. Hampton and including Lawrence G. Fell, Rudolph Habermann, Arch R. Flannery and James R. Golden, meet with city commission in the City Hall to discuss plans for financing two proposed soldier clubhouses in Battle Creek. This meeting developed from a citizens’ meeting Thursday afternoon in the Post Tavern attended by 29 men interested in the clubhouse program. Arch Flannery, director of civic recreation, said that c. 1,500 soldiers now taking part in civic recreation and athletic programs and clubhouses would take care of those who would otherwise “roam the streets” looking for entertainment.” Mayor Floyd says he will do all he can, but that resources are limited. At City Hall, the Committee suggests two locations, “the old Hunter-Prell building at 38-42 South Madison, proposed for white soldiers, and a building at 14 East State for Negro Soldiers.” [meeting minutes] According to the Committee’s plan, the building on East State would become as a clubhouse for “to serve the needs of Battle Creek Negroes.” In discussions about a possible community center, Mr. ET Atwell (National Recreation Association) gave ‘an interesting speech about the need of a community for a wider social vision.’ Arch Flannery suggested that the organization had two aims] 1) to form an organization of some type to cooperate with a recreational organization in the city and 2) to reach people with a definite purpose. He stressed the need for unselfishness in banding together for a common purpose.”

March 4: Sojourner Truth Association meets to adopt a Constitution and by-laws for a new community center.
Meeting to adopt a Constitution and By-laws for a community center opened by CL Evans, temporary chairman. Committee discussed plans to borrow a building from the Board of Education and to build an additional building. “The Committee recommended two names for the permanent organization – Sojourner Truth or John W. Patterson.” “A committee to prepare by-laws and a constitution for a projected Negro community center in Battle Creek was named at a meeting last night in the City Hall attended by a group representing several churches and civic recreation programs and city officials…Members of the committee to report at a meeting March 4 are James Golden, Chairman, and Mrs. Clyde Guy, Mrs. Pearl Morton, Elmer Scudder, and Cleo Haley.”

Whites oppose proposed location of new community center. Ninety-five businessmen and residents of 14 E. State St. area, the proposed site of a recreational facility for Black soldiers, sign a petition protesting the creation of a black recreational facility in the State Street area resulted in plans for the a clubhouse on Hamblin Avenue.

From copy of Letter, dated February 19, 1941, in the Martich Collection in Willard Library [M: 82-38c]:
“To the Mayor and City Commissioners [from] owners and occupants of the business property located in and around No. 14 East State…do hereby protest the action taken by the City Commission on Feb 17, 1941, in providing City funds to lease the premises at No. 14 East State Street for a recreation center for the colored soldiers. We hereby represent to the city commission that we have valuable property rights and business interests which will be irreparably damaged if the proposed recreation center is operated at the place mentioned.” [letter followed by several pages of signatures and addresses from Capital, State, and Elm Streets, as well as other locations.]

c. 1942

Sojourner Truth Association abandons plans to construct a new clubhouse when the plans for a USO club became public. While abandoning plans for an independent club, the Sojourner Truth Association continues to collect funds through potlucks, bake sales, and donation. These funds are used to support various causes connected to the black community in Battle Creek, and to purchase lots on Hamblin Avenue (following protests of the East State location). Members of the Sojourner Truth Association included Mrs. James Golden, Mr. and Mrs. Clark Valentine, Misses Cleo Haley and Misses Olga Haley. They also included Dr. Claude Evans and wife. In 1949, the city acquired the no-longer needed USO building on Hamblin Avenue as a community center, and the Association no longer needed to search for a site or funds for a building. The Sojourner Truth Association became inactive until 1957, when lots sold and put into the old bank account, which had been accumulating interest. Board formed to administer fund, used for worthy causes. Gifts to NAACP, the Urban League, Kimball House, to set up the Sojourner Truth Room. The Sojourner Truth Association also gave money to needy families.

1942

March 11: Independent Soldier’s club cited for nonconformity with Army regulations. Orders issued by Brigadier General Cortlandt Parker, commander of the 5th division, to close the club and divorce its finances from the regiment. The order gave the colonel (Col. Anderson F. Pitts) until noon March 14 to comply. The reason given was that the club did not conform with certain Army regulations.” Colonel Andersen F. Pitts said “that a real need exists for such a tavern. ‘There are hundreds of Negro soldiers here who have no place to which they can go for beer and wine in an environment that meets army requirements.’”

Excerpt from “Fort Custer In Story and Pictures” by Chet Geesey (1941): “The Red Diamond Club…When Fort Custer was reactivated and a downtown recreation center became necessary, the Calhoun Defense Council established club rooms for both the white and the colored trainees at Fort Custer. Serving the white population is the Red Diamond Club on South Madison Street, named after the 5th or Red Diamond Division, the first unit to be stationed at Fort Custer. The club consists of a spacious lobby, library, writing room and one complete floor devoted to recreational activity, with table tennis and billiard tables…The club for colored soldiers is similarly equipped to fill the need of the Negro soldiers at the for. The Red Diamond Club and other serve clubs will be taken over by the United Service Organization and moved to larger quarters with more and better equipment and a larger staff.”

December: Completion of new USO Clubs in the area observed. United States flag raised in front of completed United Service Organization club building on 242 Hamblin Avenue to mark the completion of the building. “Flags of the United States will be raised simultaneously at the three new United Service Organizations club buildings in the Fort Custer area. The Hamblin Club, a second club in Battle Creek, and a third club in Augusta, were built in 60 days by the construction division of the Army. The buildings were constructed by the Miller-Davis Co. of Kalamazoo under a $17,000 contract. At all three clubs, simultaneous ceremonies are to be brief and simple. A few words will be spoken by representatives of the army, city officials, and US directors. A military color guard and buglers will attend each ceremony.” In Hamblin, “members of the club’s board of directors and the women’s auxiliary plan to attend.”

1943

January 23: Dedication of three USO buildings (W. Michigan Ave. and Hamblin Ave.) and one in Augusta. [references to “Negro Club on Hamblin” in the Enquirer]

January (late Jan): Special program in connection with the opening of the new Hamblin Avenue USO building will be held in the clubhouse at 8 p.m.…A feature of the program will be a discussion of nine local men and women of various phases of the relationship between the community and the soldiers and the USO.” The choruses of the 94th Engineer Battalion and the 184th Field Artillery Regiment perform. Speakers include James R. Golden and Rev. Edward B. Williams, pastor of the Mt. Zion church.

March 15: United Service Organizations clubs in the Fort Custer area and throughout the nation hold open house. William Childs, director of the Hamblin Avenue Club at 242 Hamblin Avenue, is in charge of arrangements at his club. Scheduled events include dance instruction and roller-skating “with girl partners for the soldiers.”

Joe Louis makes appearance at the Hamblin Avenue USO Club.

Frank Carter founds City Cab Co.

Construction of wooden frame house that would become the Hamblin Community Center at 242 Hamblin begins.

1943-45

USO Club operates at 242 Hamblin Avenue; Hamblin Avenue club served primarily African-American soldiers.

1944

Reverend Harold Speights elected Pastor of the Original Church of God on Hamblin Avenue. (Bishop) Harold Speights served 53 years as a minister.

1945

October 7-12: Opening Ceremonies of Hamblin Community Center.

Julia Milner joins Hamblin Community Center as Assistant Director.

Mrs. Maxine Chase Morris chairs a membership campaign to encourage black residents to make the Hamblin Community Center a focus of civic, social, and recreational activities.

1945-47

Center closed as a USO; board of directors operate club on a membership basis.

1945-48

John M. Wood serves as Director of Hamblin Community Center.

1946-49

Hugh Pettiford and Orin McShaw own and operate Savoy Ballroom and a skating rink at 11 S. Washington Avenue.

In late-1940s, Frank Cater operated Savoy Ballroom.

1947

Julia Milner “named” Director of HCC, one year before “the city took over the project.”

March 25-28: Heavy snowfall creates flood conditions in the Bottoms.

April 5: Flood waters spill into the Bottoms.

1948

USO Headquarters on Hamblin Avenue converted into the Hamblin Community Center.

Clifton J. Woods becomes supervisor of Recreation and Social Activities.

December: Center incorporated into the municipal/civic recreation program with Julia Milner as its director.

1949

November: Mrs. Charlotte Paige Tucker added to the HCC staff as Junior Recreation Director.

Robert and Helen (Evans) Montgomery open a club called “The Corner” on the corner of Kendall and Hamblin Streets [other sources report that this club was called the Black and Tan]. “The bar served beer and wine and did not require membership to enter…It soon expanded from the corner, next door to 44 South Kendall Street, where a pool hall had recently been closed. They named the club, the El Grotto Lounge, also known as the “Bucket of Blood.” In the beginning, only beer and wine were served at the club. Soon a liquor license would be granted and Helen’s brother, Melvin, would serve as bartender.” Melvin’s uncle was Dr. Claude L. Evans, the dentist. The success of the club was [due to] the owner’s willingness to welcome entertainers who wanted to
perform” and try out their craft. Soldiers often frequented the club, and celebrities, including Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks stopped by the club. [from Here I Stand] Performers who played at the El Grotto included Fats Waller, Dinah Washington, Big Joe Burrell, Jimmy Mason, Al Green, Junior Walker and the All Stars.

Shady Grove Church (formerly Antioch Baptist Church) moves from 323 Hamblin Avenue to 70 River Street (later Beacon Street) and changed name from Shady Grove to First Salem Missionary Baptist Church.

1951-61

Reverend L.L. Tubbs serves as pastor of the First Salem Missionary Baptist Church.

1951

Robert “Jackey” Beavers and Johnny Bristol arrive in Battle Creek after being transferred by the army. The duet is one of the first groups to perform at the El Grotto, where they quickly became a popular act.

1952

Don Drake becomes Director of Civic Recreation.

1953

Fort Custer closes.

1954

Establishment of the Senior Pioneer Interracial Club.

July: Don Sherrod joins staff as Boys’ Work Executive (supervised boys’ activities).

1955

Julia Milner presented by Enquirer and News with set of Encyclopedia Britannica for Center’s children’s library.

Coterian Club established by a group of 12 girls interested in fostering better social activities in Battle Creek. The Coterian Club “was the first in Battle Creek to take out a life membership in the NAACP."

1956

October: The Reverend Walter Williams, an ordained minister in the Baptist Church for Colored People, joins the Hamblin Community Center as a volunteer worker to help with teen-age boys. “At the Hamblin Community Center, he will organize the teenage boys into clubs to keep them busy and off the streets as much as possible…He plans to develop responsibility of leadership in the boys at the center and prove advantages of their citizenship."

1957

Julia Milner receives a master’s degree from Western Michigan University.

1958

Altora Townsend establishes a church at 105 W. Goodale Avenue.

Fred Reese establishes Fred’s Auto Trim & Upholstery Shop at 35 S. Madison St.

1959

City Commissioner issues a warning in the local newspaper against contributions of money to the Mother’s Club. In a matter of days, the issue was resolved.

March: First Women’s Volleyball League organized by Dept. of Civic Recreation.

Lillian and Herbert McGee buy the Hamblin House of Beauty, a salon (possibly located at 495 Hamblin Avenue).

Macedonia Baptist Church organized at 637 W. Van Buren Street by Rev. Earl Young.

1960

Jefferson School at SW Capital and E. Fountain demolished.

Washington Heights United Methodist Church reopens after a short closure with commitment to integrate.

1961

Zion Hill Baptist Church at 625 Hamblin Avenue, organized and led by Rev. Tubbs.

Joseph Harris elected pastor of the First Salem Missionary Baptist Church.

Concrete-lined Kalamazoo River Channel dedicated.

1962

January: Marcus Gray elected president of the Debonnaire Club.

Sidney Adams, President of the Battle Creek Chapter of NAACP, and Vice President William Schultz, criticize the HCC for being “segregated not by law, but by acceptance." The Enquirer reports, “In 1962, the local NAACP, in conjunction with the Battle Creek Human Relations Commission and the Battle Creek Area Council on Human Relations went before the City Commission to charge that the Center 'promoted segregation' and called for the 'discontinuance of youth activities at the center and the expansion of recreational opportunities for young people at other points in the city.' The Battle Creek Human Relations Commission approved a report and submitted it to the City commission calling for discontinuance of youth activities at HCC and expansion of recreational opportunities for young people at other points in the city. The Human Relations Commission proposed that city school buildings be used during later afternoon and evening hours for youth and adult recreation activities, suggesting the institution of a pilot program at McKinley and Lincoln Schools to see if the idea was workable.”

1963

Clark Valentine becomes the first African American elected to the City Commission.

HCC exhibit of portraits of “outstanding Negroes in American Life,” and a panel discussion of “The Duties and Responsibilities of the Negro in an Integrated Society” as part of Negro History Week.

Testimonial Dinner to honor of Julia Milner for years of service to community; sponsored by the Citizens’ Committee.

Upton Original Church of God moves to 270 Upton Avenue.

1964

HCC becomes the Senior Citizens’ Center, maintaining only certain functions for youth.

1966

At the El Grotto Lounge, Al Green and the Creations have their first gig ever.

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church organized by W.T. Taylor, pastor. (subsequently moved to 63 Parish Street and then to 291 N. Wood Street).

1967

Comedian, Jimmy Lynch, records live album, “Funky Tramp” at the El Grotto.

1968

Jimmie and Loman Gardiner move to Battle Creek; later open Tots and Toys Day Care Center at 392 N. Washington Ave.

1969

Lewis Logan opens up first L & R Grocery Store at 157 Hubbard Street. In 1970, he opens L&R No. 2 at 25 Willow Street.

Calhoun County Black Business and Professional Association forms to increase black-owned businesses in Battle Creek. Members include Louis T. Perry, Mrs. Albert E. Good, Jessee L. Owens, Mrs. Robert G. Montgomery, and Alfred H. Burch.

1970

Tom Snyder purchases the Bellman’s and Waiter’s Club and building.

March: Fashion show to benefit CORE at the El Grotto. African fashions. Four Dimensions Unlimited will play. Fashions designed by Mrs. Herbert L. (Bee) Tillman.

Bill Dowdy opens up Bill Dowdy Music Enterprises.

1971

Lewis Logan opened up Ebony Billiards Room at 497 W. Michigan Avenue.

1972

Julia Milner receives a distinguished service award from the Civil Rights Department of the Battle Creek chapter of the NAACP.

Robert Montgomery, founder of the El Grotto Lounge, dies.

July: The Sojourner Truth Association and the Dardanell Art Club provide the cornerstone grants for the Y Center.

1973

Julia Milner receives Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award at the second annual Sojourner Truth Award Luncheon at the Gull Harbor Inn.

Black Unity Committee of Battle Creek, chaired by Mrs. Lillian McGee, endorses extension of Jackson Street to further development of black neighborhoods.

September: Mayor Fredrick Brydges proclaims 9/23/73 as Hugh Pettiford Day.

Y Center on Capital Avenue completed.

1974

Julia Milner steps down as the second Director of HCC.

HCC “shuts down” when Senior Citizens’ Center activities were transferred to the Irving Park Recreation Building.

Upton Original Church of God moves to 48 Hinman Avenue and becomes the Urbandale Original Church of God.

Michigan Carton Company sold to St. Regis Paper Co.

1975

HCC building purchased by the Cereal City Golf Club.

Bishop Speights elected to office of Senior Bishop.

St. Mark Christian Methodist Episcopal Church moved to 59 Illinois Street.

1978

April: First meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee formed to organize the HCC Reunion.

Julia Milner retires from the Valentine Center (Senior Center).

First Salem Missionary Baptist Church moves from Beacon Street to 370 Capital Avenue, S.W.

1979

Julia Milner receives an Enquirer and News George Award for community service.

July 21: First Reunion of HCC, held at the former HCC; gift of trip to Hawaii presented to Julia Milner and her husband.

1980

Battle Creek (Cereal City) Golf Club, suffering high heating costs, relinquishes ownership of the Battle Creek Golf Club.

1981

July 18: Second Reunion of the HCC held at Kellogg Community College’s Miller Gymnasium and the Federal Center.

1986

Work begins on the K-Mart Plaza.

1992

Musician and activist Bobby Holley asks the City Commission to name a street after the club owner and community activist, Helen Montgomery.

Rosenheath park renamed Milner Park in honor of Julia Milner.

1993

El Grotto Lounge sold to local couple who renamed the club Colors on the Corner.

Dedication of bronze plaque honoring Julia Milner in Milner Park at the corners of Roseneath Ave. and Howland Streets.

1995

Bellman’s and Waiter’s Club demolished.