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By Maurice Champagne, Class of 2004
In 2010, thirteen muralists created “Community Leaders”, a mural in Rogers Park. You’ll find it on the west side of the CTA embankment on Glenwood, between Lunt and Greenleaf. Rahmaan Statik painted the section that depicts Fredrick Douglass “Fritz” Pollard, whose family was the first Black family to live in Rogers Park.
“Fritz” Pollard graduated from Lane Tech High School in 1912–not the Lane Tech building on Addison, but its predecessor, designed by Dwight Perkins, on Division and Sedgwick. The building opened in 1908, was renamed Washburne Trade School in 1935, and was demolished in 1981.
After graduating from high school, “Fritz” Pollard became the first Black football player to play at Brown University and in the Rose Bowl. In 1919 he became one of the first Black professional football players, the first Black quarterback, and then the first Black coach in professional football. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2005.
He was one of eight children of John and Catherine Amanda Pollard. John was a Civil War veteran. In 1886, he moved to Rogers Park from Missouri to avoid racism. He bought a home at 1928 W. Lunt Avenue and opened a barber shop in Rogers Park. Catherine worked as a dressmaker at Marshall Field’s. Some of their other children were also “firsts.” According to Block Club Chicago:
“Artissmisia Pollard was the first Black licensed nurse in Illinois. Naomi Pollard was the first Black woman graduate of Northwestern University. Luther Pollard was one of the first Black silent film producers and directors in the country. Hughes Pollard was a jazz musician who toured the world.”
The West Rogers Park Historical Society, along with the current owners of the Pollard house and hundreds of Rogers Park residents, are petitioning the Chicago Park District to rename Paschen Park to the Pollard Family Park. The park was named after Christian Paschen, who was the city Commissioner of Buildings when the park was developed in 1929. He later served two years in prison for tax evasion. It’s time to change the park’s name to honor a truly important family in Rogers Park’s history.
Sources:
https://mileofmurals.com/artwork/2429276-Community-Leaders.html
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Thanks, Maurice. Interesting article on an interesting family. Who knew? I sure hope they get the park’s name changed.
Maurice,
Very interesting article on an important individual and family. I second Ellen on hoping the park gets the new name.
Thank you, Maurice. I went to Brown. One of the stories about Fritz Pollard was that the opposing team’s band would play “Bye, Bye Blackbird” when Pollard took the field. Just another indignity Black players had to endure.