Bloomington in Monroe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Black Market Firebombing

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023

1. Black Market Firebombing Marker, Side One

Inscription.
In 1968, amidst sweeping political and social activism in the U.S., African American student Clarence “Rollo” Turner led protests against racial discrimination which were met with hostility. That fall, Turner opened the Black Market here, which sold products made in Africa or by African Americans, and acted as a cultural center for black students at Indiana University.

On December 26, 1968, a local man with Ku Klux Klan ties firebombed the Black Market, destroying the entire store. Though it never reopened, students, faculty, and the community raised funds to cover the store’s inventory. In 1970, Indiana University students began developing the vacant lot into a People’s Park, a space for activism, recreation, and free expression.

Erected 2020 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 53.2020.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 26, 1968.

Location. 39° 9.995′ N,

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86° 31.672′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Indiana, in Monroe County. It is on East Kirkwood Avenue east of North Dunn Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in Peoples Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington IN 47408, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of "Mollie Spaulding House" (within shouting distance of this marker); Hoagy Carmichael (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); T.C. Steele Campus Studio (about 400 feet away); Memorial Pillar and Centennial Steps (about 700 feet away); The Baier Gates (approx. 0.2 miles away); The River Jordan (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Wrangler Society (approx.

Black Market Firebombing Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023

2. Black Market Firebombing Marker, Side Two

0.2 miles away); The Legg House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomington.

Also see . . . The 1968 Black Market Firebombing: Revolution and Racism in Bloomington, Indiana. Untold Indiana website entry:
As a leader in the African American community at Indiana University, Turner served as the shop’s manager and its public face. He and his backers had two main objectives when opening the shop. First, it was to act as a cultural center for Black students at the university, who had limited recreational opportunities in the predominantly white city. Second, he aimed to eliminate “misconceptions about black people” by exposing IU students and Bloomington locals alike to Black culture. (Submitted on September 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Black Market Firebombing Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023

3. Black Market Firebombing Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 373 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.