“Emma Nichols Garden” Tribute to Former Slave who Settled in Jackson
Sign at the entryway of Victory Lane will soon be changed to Emma Nichols Garden. JTV Photo. The Jackson City Council Tuesday night approved the renaming of Victory Lane in Downtown Jackson to “Emma Nichols Garden” to honor a Jackson resident who escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad. In 2004, the site of the former Stillman Department Store was developed and designated as Victory Lane to recognize Jackson’s Indy racing history. The space, between 151 West Michigan and 159 West Michigan Avenue has undergone several structural changes due to building improvements to the two neighboring buildings, along with infrastructure changes because of a collapsed sewer underneath the pavement. Signage in the alley also had to be removed due to vandalism. Over the past few weeks, Victory Lane has undergone major changes. A new walking path has been added that connects W. Michigan Avenue to an improved parking lot behind City Hall. This path is surrounded by trees and other landscaping. A patio has been added to the alley that can be utilized by the building on the east side of the alley, which will soon feature a new restaurant, Veritas. A new mural from the Bright Walls Mural Festival is…
