Central Harlem in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 2, 2021
1. Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson Marker
Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson (1878-1949) was a well known tap dancer from the early 1900's to the late 1940's. He performed in theaters on Broadway and throughout the United States and Europe, and starred in several Hollywood made movies. Dance critics referred to him as the "Master of Tap Dancing."
Bill Robinson resided at the Dunbar Apartments located across West 150th Street. In 1934, he arranged to have this site developed as a public playground. Throughout his life he gave generous donations to and made personal appearances for charity causes in Harlem and many United States cities.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 40° 49.515′ N, 73° 56.249′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Central Harlem. It is on West 150th Street west of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 269 West 150th Street, New York NY
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nicholas C. and Agnes Benzinger House (approx. Ό mile away); Bailey House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Before the Bronx Terminal Market (approx. 0.3 miles away); Holcombe Rucker Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Greg Marius Court (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Holcombe Rucker Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jackie Robinson Pool (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Greg Marius Court (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Holcombe Rucker Park (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 2, 2021
2. Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson Marker - wide view
(Note the mapped out dance steps visible in the lower right corner. Not many markers come equipped with those....)
More about this marker. The marker and mural are located at the Bill "Bojangles" Robinson Playground.
Also see . . .
1. Little Colonel Bojangles Dance (YouTube, 3 min., colorized). Bill "Bojangles" Robinson teaches Shirley Temple his signature stair dance in this scene from The Little Colonel (1935). (Submitted on May 4, 2021.)
2. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, 1878 – 1949 (Harlem World, April 23, 2018). "In 1908 in Chicago, he met Marty Forkins, who became his lifelong manager. Under Forkins tutelage, Robinson matured and began working as a solo act in nightclubs, increasing his earnings to an estimated $3500 per week. The publicity that gradually came to surround him included the creation of his famous “stair dance” (which he claimed to have invented on the spur of the moment when he was receiving some honor–he could never remember exactly what– from the King of England. The King was standing at the top of a flight of stairs, and Bojangles feet just danced up to be honored), his successful gambling exploits, his bow ties of multiple colors, his prodigious charity,
Vandamm Studios (courtesy of New York Public Library), 1928
3. Bill Robinson (Bojangles) starred in Blackbirds of 1928
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 907 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 4, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
