Tempe, AZ – About 100 years after Tempe residents of color lived in fear of the organized hatred of the local KKK chapter, and decades after diverse pioneering families contributed to the thriving city we see today, an exemplary group of past Tempeans will be honored in perpetuity with their names emblazoned on visible Tempe locations.

Names like: Soza, Sotelo, Obregon, Brooks-Totress, Romo, Jones, Thomas, Green, Ragsdale.

Determined to ensure that Tempe landmarks, parks and streets are named for people who represent the best of what our city has been, is and will be, the City Council voted unanimously last night to rename three streets and three parks that bore the names of now-deceased Tempe leaders who were affiliated with a local KKK chapter. They also voted to rename Sixth Street Park in downtown Tempe.

The name changes will take effect July 1.

“We are proud to honor Tempe individuals and families who were incredible people of service and distinction that contributed immensely to make our community what it is today,” said Mayor Corey Woods. “I am proud of our city, the Parks and Streets Renaming Ad Hoc Committee, and the Tempe City Council for advancing this issue, embracing a restorative approach, and ensuring that our city places and spaces represent all Tempeans.”

The names were suggested by community members and vetted by a diverse committee of Council-appointed volunteers. The committee met several times and selected options that would recognize the contributions of community members who were pioneers or were instrumental in advancing a sense of belonging in their communities. The new names are:

Parque de Soza – Replaces Hudson Park. Recognizes the multigenerational pioneer Soza family.  

Rancho de Sotelo – To be a special, marked area east of Rural Road and south of University Drive, designating the 160-acre ranch of the Sotelo family, including Manuela Sotelo, a respected Latina pioneer and landowner.

Obregon Street – Replaces East Laird Street. Recognizes pioneer farmer Pedro “Pete” Obregon, who was known as “Don Pedro” in the community for his work to take care of others.

Michelle Brooks-Totress Park – Replaces Redden Park. Recognizes community activist, philanthropist and volunteer Michelle Brooks-Totress.

Romo-Jones Street – Replaces West Laird Street. Recognizes husband-and-wife pioneers Adolfo Romo and Joaquina Jones, who fought and won in court for their children to be able to attend school with white children.

Thomas Lane – Replaces Hudson Lane. Recognizes Maggie and Theodore Thomas, who were an African American pioneer family and business owners.

Mary and Moses Green Park – Replaces Harelson Park. Recognizes Mary and Moses Green, who were the first African American landowners in what is now Tempe.

Ragsdale-MLK Park – Replaces Sixth Street Park. This was an additional renaming proposed by the City Council on Feb. 9, in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Lincoln Ragsdale, a prominent local Civil Rights activist, businessman and veteran.
 
Approximately 170 households and no businesses are located on the three streets being renamed. Residents and property owners will receive letters to inform them about the official change, as well as steps to take to obtain new drivers licenses and make changes to official documents. A city letter went out to impacted residents earlier this month as well. The city will assist residents who have questions or need help about next steps; a guide with address change resources is available.

A reimbursement process will be announced soon for residents who wish to recover costs for certain fees that may be encountered, such as drivers license fees.

For more information about the renaming process, visit tempe.gov/renaming.

Pictured from left: Manuela Sanchez Sotelo, Juan Sotelo and Juan Sotelo Soza, Pete Obregon, Lincoln Ragsdale with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Michelle Brooks-Totress. 
Photo of Lincoln Ragsdale courtesy of Lincoln Ragsdale, Jr. and Dr. Matthew Whitaker