Garfield Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
George Halas
— Chicago Tribute —
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021
1. George Halas Marker
George Halas
Football Coach
1895-1983
For half a century, George “Papa Bear” Halas was synonymous with the Chicago Bears. Founder of the football team, he was the team’s coach for 40 years and general manager for an additional decade.
Of Bohemian parentage, George Halas was born on Chicago’s West Side. A star athlete in school, he began his professional sports career in baseball, as an outfielder for the New York Yankees. His baseball career ended prematurely when he suffered a knee injury sliding into third base. Turning to football, Halas played and coached for the Decatur Staleys in Decatur, Illinois. By 1921, he owned the team and moved it to Chicago, renaming it the Chicago Bears after one season.
Halas guided the Bears to six world championships—1921, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1946, and 1963—and two perfect seasons. Halas lived at 4356 West Washington Boulevard in 1922, when he founded the Bears.
A founder of the National Football League, Halas advocated rule changes that encouraged the passing game, and he introduced the T-formation. Halas left a legacy of defense-oriented football suited to Chicago’s gritty civic image.
Some of the Bears’ finest athletes played for Halas, including Harold “Red” Grange, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Mike Ditka
this page online
Erected 1997 by Chicago Tribune Foundation, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago Cultural Center Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Chicago Tribute series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 41° 52.921′ N, 87° 44.113′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Park. Marker is at the intersection of West Washington Boulevard and North Kostner Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Washington Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4356 West Washington Boulevard, Chicago IL 60624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Garfield Park (approx. ¾ mile away); 132nd Infantry Monument (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); Garfield Park Natural Area (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Boulevard System (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021
2. George Halas Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here just peeking above the black car.
1. George Halas (Wikipedia).
"George Stanley Halas Sr. (February 2, 1895 – October 31, 1983), nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was an American professional football player, coach, and team owner. He was the founder and owner of the National Football League's Chicago Bears, and served as his own head coach on four occasions. He was also lesser-known as a Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees.(Submitted on December 14, 2021.)
Halas was one of the co-founders of the National Football League (NFL) in 1920, and in 1963 became one of the first 17 inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."
2. George Halas (Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site).
"During his incredible career he filled the shoes of owner, manager, player, and promoter, and was an influential leader among the NFL’s ownership. It was, however, as a coach that he excelled and was best known. Although Halas coached his Bears for 40 seasons, he stepped away from the coaching ranks three times – 1930-1932, 1942-1945 (to serve in the military), and 1956-1957.(Submitted on December 14, 2021.)
Each time a rejuvenated Halas returned to the sidelines to coach and won an NFL championship. Twice, in 1934 and 1942, Halas’ teams had undefeated regular-season records. His 318 regular-season wins and 324 total victories were long-standing NFL records until broken by DonShula in 1993."Photographed By Chicago Tribune3. Marker inset: George Halas
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 14, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
