Belmont Cragin in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Jacob A. Riis

Photographed By Sean Flynn, May 2, 2024

1. Jacob A. Riis Marker

Inscription. Born in Ribe, Denmark
May 3, 1849
Died in Barre, Massachusetts
May 26, 1914

Friend of the children, defender of the poor and suffering, champion of American ideals.

If I were asked to name a fellow man who came near to being the ideal American Citizen, I should name Jacob A. Riis.

Theodore Roosevelt

Erected 1929 by Americans of Danish origin.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 1849.

Location. 41° 55.479′ N, 87° 47.062′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Belmont Cragin. Marker can be reached from North Narragansett Avenue north of Fullerton Avenue. The marker is on a large stone in the southwestern corner of Riis Park, not far from the pond. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6100 West Fullerton, Chicago IL 60639, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Montclare World War I Honor Roll (approx. 0.7 miles away); Galewood Community War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles

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away); Continental Divide (approx. 1.1 miles away); Elmwood Park Peace Officer Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Continental Divide (approx. 1½ miles away); Henry Horner (approx. 1½ miles away); Warren Cooney (approx. 1.6 miles away); Henry A. Taylor (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker was unveiled in Jacob Riis's namesake park on November 3, 1929, in front of a crowd of 1,500 people, according to the next day's Chicago Tribune. While the plaque as well as an etching on the side of the stone says it was dedicated by "Americans of Danish origin," the Tribune article says it was erected by the 21st Danish National Committee of Chicago. Among the speakers were Jens Jensen, the Danish-American landscape architect who was responsible for designing many of Chicago's best-known parks.

When visited in May 2024, the plaque was covered in graffiti, while 95 years of wear had made the text very hard to read.

Regarding Jacob A. Riis.

Photographed By Sean Flynn

2. Jacob A. Riis Marker

Jacob Riis was a "muckraking" journalist and social reformer whose 1880 book, How the Other Half Lives, about the squalor of New York City's slums, eventually led to reforms.

Also see . . .
1. Jacob Riis. A bio from Britannica (Submitted on May 3, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Jacob Riis: Revealing “How the Other Half Lives”. A look at Riis's most famous book, from the Library of Congress. (Submitted on May 3, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Jacob A. Riis image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Library of Congress, circa 1904

3. Jacob A. Riis

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 66 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.