Hough in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
James Mercer Langston Hughes
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 4, 2009
1. James Mercer Langston Hughes Marker
One of the most recognized figures of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902 and moved to Cleveland by the time he was in high school. An avid traveler, he credited his years at Central High School for the inspiration to write and dream. The consummate Renaissance man, Hughes incorporated his love of theater, music, poetry, and literature in his writings. As an activist, he wrote about the racial politics and culture of his day. He was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP. He published over 40 books, for children and adults. Known as the "Poet Laureate of the Negro People," Hughes most famous poem is "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." Langston died on May 22, 1967, and his remains were interred beneath the commemoratively designed "I've Known Rivers" tile floor in the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem.
Erected 2003 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and the Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 75-18.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.
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Location. 41° 31.279′ N, 81° 37.06′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Hough. It is at the intersection of Superior Avenue (U.S. 6) and East Boulevard, on the right when traveling east on Superior Avenue. Marker is in front of the Langston Hughes branch of Cleveland Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10200 Superior Avenue, Cleveland OH 44106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Connections (approx. 0.3 miles away); Modern India (approx. 0.4 miles away); Leadership (approx. 0.4 miles away); Universal Brotherhood (approx. 0.4 miles away); Federation of India Community Association (approx. 0.4 miles away); Artistic Traditions (approx. 0.4 miles away); Legacy (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.
More about this marker. This particular location does not have any significance in the life of Langston Hughes - it was chosen because of the location of Langston Hughes Branch of Cleveland Public Library.
This marker is incorrectly
Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 4, 2009
2. Langston Hughes Marker and Library
Also see . . .
1. (James) Langston Hughes. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History website entry (Submitted on April 4, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
2. Langston Hughes Branch, Cleveland Public Library. Library website entry (Submitted on April 4, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Additional keywords. Harlem Renaissance; LGBT; LGBTQ
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,381 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on May 26, 2023, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
