Gainesville dual names street in honor of late educator Magnolia Jackson 

The family of Magnolia Jackson pulls the cover off the newly dual-named street in her honor.
The family of Magnolia Jackson pulls the cover off the newly dual-named street in her honor.
Photo by Seth Johnson

Family members pulled off the cover on Friday to reveal the new dual name for NE 3rd Avenue in honor of the late Magnolia Bradley Jackson.  

Magnolia B. Jackson Street will honor her legacy right by her family’s home. Jackson died in May 2024 at 106 years old, but her ripples continue to impact, speakers said.  

Born in Rochelle, Jackson graduated from Lincoln High School in 1936 and Bethune-Cookman University in 1944. Then, Jackson started her teaching career, educating students at Alachua County Public Schools for over 40 years.  

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Her popularity rose after her 100th birthday and a subsequent feature in a Walt Disney World campaign. 

“We all take up space in this world; we don’t always all leave a mark on this world,” Mayor Harvey Ward said at the ceremony. “Magnolia Jackson left a mark on this world.” 

At Friday’s sign ceremony, her family said that Jackson was a staunch voter and had people take her to vote each time. Jackson remembered not being able to vote before the 1965 Voting Rights Act, her family said, cementing her desire to cast her ballot.  

In memory of Jackson, the family encouraged everyone to vote in the coming election. 

Evy Evans Edwards, great niece of Magnolia Jackson, speaks at the sign unveiling on Friday.
Photo by Seth Johnson Evy Evans Edwards, great-niece of Magnolia Jackson, speaks at the sign unveiling on Friday.
A sign outside the Jackson home commemorates the late Magnolia Jackson and the new street named in her honor.
Photo by Seth Johnson A sign outside the Jackson home commemorates the late Magnolia Jackson and the new street named in her honor.
The new street sign for NE 3rd Avenue.
Photo by Seth Johnson The new street sign for NE 3rd Avenue.

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