Evanston in Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
James Warren Rankin
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Ohio's Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
April 10, 1926 - June 28, 1978
Photographed by Grant & Mary Ann Fish, July 6, 2024
1. James Warren Rankin side of marker
James W. Rankin served four consecutive terms (1971-1978) in the Ohio House of Representatives. Born and raised in Cincinnati, he graduated from Withrow High School and The Ohio State University’s School of Social Work. While working in Cincinnati’s Seven Hills neighborhood, he ran for office to “involve the disadvantaged in the governmental processes that affected their lives.” He won his first bid and served the next seven years as a state representative for the 69th House district, later the reapportioned 25th district. Representative Rankin fought passionately for civil and human rights in education and public policy. He served on the Reference, Human Resources, and Finance committees. When Rankin died of pneumonia, aged 52, the Cincinnati Enquirer proclaimed him a “Friend of the Poor.”
The campaign to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a holiday began shortly after his death in 1968. James W. Rankin played a key role in the legislation that created Ohio’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. “There are 10,000 monuments to war. Why shouldn’t there be a monument to peace?” Rankin declared to his colleagues.
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Erected 2022 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation, Evanston Community Council and The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 100-31.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 19, 1976.
Location. 39° 8.57′ N, 84° 27.653′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It is in Evanston. It is at the intersection of Duck Creek Road and Crane Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Duck Creek Road. The marker is in a small, wedge-shaped park along Duck Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2141 Duck Creek Rd, Cincinnati OH 45207, United
Photographed by Grant & Mary Ann Fish, July 6, 2024
2. Ohio's Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday side of marker
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Evanston - World War One Honor Roll (approx. 0.4 miles away); King Records (approx. 0.8 miles away); Xavier University Armory (approx. 1.1 miles away); Miss Doherty's College Preparatory School for Girls (approx. 1.2 miles away); St. Marys World War Marker (approx. 1.2 miles away); Norwood High School (approx. 1.3 miles away); Harriet Beecher Stowe House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Harriet Beecher Stowe (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.
Photographed by Grant & Mary Ann Fish, July 6, 2024
3. Marker in the Duck Creek Prarie park
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2024, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. This page has been viewed 366 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2024, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
