Street Titled After Hitler Supporter Is Renamed In Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — A street in Minneapolis that was named after a supporter of Adolf Hitler has been renamed to honor the legacy of John Cheatham, a man born into slavery who became the city's first Black fire captain in 1899.

"Dight Avenue" officially became "Cheatham Avenue" in south Minneapolis Thursday morning.

Cheatham worked out of Fire Station 24 until his retirement in 1911. His old station is located about two blocks from the newly renamed street.

The old namesake of the street was Charles Fremont Dight, a physician and Minneapolis alderman who founded the Minnesota Eugenics Society in 1923. He also backed Hitler's rise to power in Nazi Germany.

"We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Captain John Cheatham and his fellow Black firefighters who so courageously stepped up to serve and protect the residents of our community, despite the unending racism and oppression they faced," Council Member Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson worked with community members on an application to rename the street. Residents ultimately voted to have the street renamed after Cheatham.

"I am very excited, extremely proud and thankful of the fact that the City of Minneapolis is honoring the legacy of Captain John Cheatham in this way," said Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner.

"I have always believed that I stand on the shoulders of those pioneering Black firefighters who came before me. As the first Black fire captain in the City’s history, Captain John Cheatham certainly presents a broad set of shoulders. His perseverance and service made it possible for me and others to serve this City as Black firefighters and set the path for me to eventually serve the City as its fire chief."

Cheatham Avenue serves as the border for St. James AME church, founded in 1860. The church is the oldest Black institution in the state, noted LaJune Lange, a retired Hennepin County District Judge.