Eagleson Avenue: The family accomplishments behind the new street name – The Herald-Times

The name of a well-traveled street in Bloomington now honors a prominent local Black family.

Once known as Jordan Avenue, the section of the street from East Davis Street to East 17th Streethas beenrenamed Eagleson Avenue. A ceremony Tuesday celebrated the new name.

Previously named after David Starr Jordan, Indiana University's seventh president, the street's name came under scrutiny in recent years due to Jordan's support of eugenics selective breeding of humans based on the idea that some people have superior genes.

This past year, both the Bloomington Plan Commission and the IU Board of Trustees approved changing the street's name toinstead honor a family of Black Bloomingtonians who have made their mark on the community and the nation for more than a century.

Pictures: Eagleson Avenue replaces Jordan Avenue in Bloomington

The Eagleson-Bridgwaters story in Bloomington began in the 1880s, whenHalson Vashon Eagleson Sr. arrived. Born into slavery in 1851, he would become a prominent barber with a large family that would make its mark onBloomington and Indiana University.

The businessmanhelped found both the Bethel AME Church in Bloomington and an orphanage in Unionville. He raisedsix childrenwith two wives, and many of the children andtheirdescendants would attend Indiana University at a time when it was noteasy for Black Americans to pursue higher education.

Halsons oldest child,Preston, was bornin 1876 in Mitchelland graduated from high school in Bloomington at the age of 16 in 1892. Preston attended IU and became the first African American to take part in intercollegiate athletics at the university.

Previous: Bloomington approves renaming Jordan Avenue after prominent Black family

Preston was aforce on the footballteam throughouthis undergraduate career, despite theracial prejudice he sometimes encountered from rival fans and teams. He was denied service at multiple hotels, prompting his father to take legal action. Preston would go on to become thefirst African American toearn an advanced degree from IU, receivinga master of arts in philosophy.

Preston's brother Halson V. EaglesonJr., born in 1903, also faced pushback as he pursued his education. A leader of the IU marching band, he was kidnapped before he could perform at a game with Purdue. That did not stop him from becoming the first black student to earn an "I" letter in the marching band and a doctorate in physicsbefore starting a career as an educator and consultant.

Preston's son Wilson Vashon Eagleson Sr., born in 1898, continued the family's educational efforts at IU, earning his undergraduate degree in 1922 and marrying Frances Marshall, whowas the first black woman to graduate from IU. Marshall embarked on her own career in academia, and her name lives on at IU in theNeal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

The family continued to have an impact in Bloomington and beyond throughout the 20th century.

Another of Preston's children, Elizabeth Eagleson Bridgwaters, born 1908, would get her undergraduate degree from IU in 1930. Elizabeth would make her mark as director of the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department for the city of Bloomington,president of the local school board and as a mayoral candidate. She served on the first Civil Rights Commission of Bloomington and spearheaded other civic groups like Citizens for Constructive Progress.In addition to being named Monroe County Woman of the Century in 1999, Elizabethreceived statewide recognition for her work, including the Sagamore of the Wabash.

More: Bridgwaters led by example

Wilson V. Eagleson Jr.,son of Wilson and Frances Eagleson, began his studies at IU in 1940but left to join the Army Air Corps during World War II. The Tuskegee Airman flew in combatand hada 30-year career in the Air Force before retiring in 1970.

Contact Patrick McGerr atpmcgerr@heraldt.com, 812-307-5636, or follow@patrickmcgerr on Twitter.

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Eagleson Avenue: The family accomplishments behind the new street name - The Herald-Times