East St. Louis in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
N. 9th St. & St. Clair Ave.
Remembering the 1917 East St. Louis Race Riot
Photographed By Jason Voigt, November 24, 2019
1. N. 9th St. & St. Clair Ave. Marker
Erected 2017 by The East St. Louis 1917 Centennial Commission & Cultural Initiative, the Meridian Society, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. (Marker Number 20.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Remembering the 1917 East St. Louis Race Riot series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 28, 1917.
Location. 38° 37.826′ N, 90° 8.666′ W. Marker is in East St. Louis, Illinois, in St. Clair County. Marker is at the intersection of North 9th Street and St. Clair Avenue (Illinois Route 3), on the right when traveling east on North 9th Street. Marker is located next to the roundabout at the junction of the two streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 711 North 9th Street, East Saint Louis IL 62201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1010 Pennsylvania Avenue (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); 621 N. 9th Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); N. 18th St. and Parsons Ave. (approx. 0.6 miles away); Collinsville at St. Louis Avenue
this page online
Regarding N. 9th St. & St. Clair Ave.. St. Clair Avenue north of this point was called "Whiskey Chute," as it was lined with taverns and brothels to tempt young farmers who had just sold livestock at the stockyards. They had to go down this route to get to the train depot. Employment strife at the National Stock Yards helped set off the May 28 riot. Along the Whiskey Chute, whites accosted African Americans workers leaving the meatpacking plants and there were skirmishes, particularly on St. Clair Ave between 2nd and 4th Streets. Police officers rescued some and the arrival of Illinois National Guard soldiers quickly caused rioters to scatter. The trouble was not over; it was postponed for another day.
Source: Elliott Rudwick, "Race Riot at East St. Louis-1917" pp. 29-31
Photographed By Jason Voigt, November 24, 2019
2. N. 9th St. & St. Clair Ave. Marker
Marker is in front of an open field that bears the "Welcome To the City of East St. Louis, IL - City of Champions" sign
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
