Jim Howard

                In 1916, Jim Howard moved with his family from Georgia when he was six months old, and after a century living here, he was a much loved and respected Eurekan.

                 Howard attended Garfield School and Eureka High at a time when there were practically no African Americans in the county. He later commented that growing up he experienced little racial prejudice because “there were so few blacks here we weren’t a threat to anyone”.

                After his first job delivering newspapers and a stint working in a mill, he joined his stepfather working at his shoe shine stand.

                 In time, that business became his, and for over thirty years “Jim’s Shoe Shine” stand was a fixture on Eureka’s E street. He said that he never considered shining shoes a “menial” job. In fact, it was the contacts he made there, chatting with politicians and community leaders, that drew him into public service.

                 In 1949, the mayor appointed him to the Eureka Housing Authority and then in 1954 to a vacancy on the City Council. Afterwards, he was elected to that seat four times and made a spirited but unsuccessful run for mayor.

                 During the mid-20th century, the number of African Americans in the community grew, and so did the amount of racial discrimination in housing and employment. In 1954, a local chapter of the NAACP was founded – an organization for which Howard later served as president. He was also a long-time member of the Rotary Club from which he received many awards.

                 During Howard’s time on the City Council, a major focus of his was revitalization of Eureka’s waterfront and Old Town. In recognition, a monument to him was raised near his old shoe shine locale. And across from it at the Clarke Museum, the “Jim’s Shoe Shine” sign is lovingly preserved.