Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Joe Louis Barrow
Joe Louis learned to box as a teenager at Detroit’s Brewster Recreation Center. With power in both hands and great strength, Louis quickly rose through the amateur ranks and turned pro in 1934. He won the world heavyweight title in 1937 at the age of 23.
All Americans cheered Louis’s 1938 knockout of German Max Schmeling. Two years earlier Schmeling had become a Nazi hero by defeating an ill-prepared Louis. During World War II, Louis assisted the Army in promoting the war effort, but he refused to appear before segregated audiences. Having defended his heavyweight title 25 times, he retired undefeated in 1949.
Erected 2007.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 42° 44.085′ N, 84° 33.129′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker can be reached from North Washington Square, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 block of North Washington Square – east side, Lansing MI 48933, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Herbert Henry Dow (within shouting distance of this marker); Gordie Howe (within shouting distance of this marker); Eero Saarinen (within shouting distance of this marker); Fannie Richards (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Walter Reuther 1907-1970 (about 400 feet away); Muzyad Yahkoob “Danny Thomas” (about 400 feet away); Elijah McCoy 1843-1929 (about 400 feet away); William Crapo “Billy” Durant 1861-1947 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.
Also see . . .
1. Michigan Walk of Fame - Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 27, 2017, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Joe Louis, from Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 15, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 25, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. 2. submitted on January 29, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on December 15, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.