MARSH PARK

Inscription

MARSH PARK

Side A

The Parker Family
Miranda Boulden Parker1 lived at 2644 Marsh Avenue from 19072 to 1915.3 She moved into the
four-family rental home with her daughters Bianca and Portia, who both worked as teachers.4
Parker was the widow of Ripley’s Underground Railroad hero John P. Parker,5 a former slave
who famously helped more than 400 fugitives escape to freedom.6 In March 1914, after several
vacant apartments in their Marsh Avenue home were repeatedly vandalized, daughter Bianca
assumed the role as building caretaker. When she appealed to the police for help against
vandals breaking windowpanes, shutters, and transoms, the police made no effort to arrest the
offenders. Instead, the Health Department issued a 24-hour eviction notice.7 Bianca Parker sued
Norwood’s Health Officer and Chief of Police8 unsuccessfully.9 The Parker family left Norwood
for the more welcoming and integrated Madisonville.10

Side B

The Hirst Family
Marsh Park was established by the City of Norwood in 192311 in an effort to prevent Black
families owning homes in Norwood.12 Although white residents had tolerated the four-family
building rented to “respectable” Black families for many years,13 the purchase of one lot and
the threat of further sales caused public outcry.14 George and Sarah Hirst rented 2646 Marsh
Avenue15 before purchasing the vacant lot next door on July 5, 1922.16 When they hired Black
contractors to build their house,17 white neighbors feared that a “Negro colony” would develop
and petitioned18 Norwood City Council to take action.19 In response, Council declared eminent
domain and seized the Hirst’s land, its adjacent empty lots, and demolished the four-family
apartment to create the new park. 20 Despite their appeals, the Hirst’s removed to Walnut Hills
in 1923. 21