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

Graffiti and erosion covered the marker when visited in May 2024.

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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

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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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Rutherford Sayre Natural Area (approx. 0.7 miles away); Montclare World War I Honor Roll (approx. 0.7 miles away); Habitat Types (approx. ¾ mile away); Native Plants Reduce Flooding (approx. ¾ mile away); Rutherford Sayre Nature Garden and Natural Area (approx. ¾ mile away); A Historical Vision Realized (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Rutherford Sayre Natural Area (approx. 0.8 miles away); Galewood Community War Memorial (approx. 0.9 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

circa 1970

2. Jacob A. Riis Marker

This circa-1970 photo shows the marker before much of its damage and erosion.

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. 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 P. 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 P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Riis (Jacob) Park in Chciago. Description & History about the location can be found through link. Granite marker is located in the South-Western corner of of the park. The park was developed

Photographed by Sean Flynn

3. Jacob A. Riis Marker

in two distinct halves separated by a steep glacial ridge, a remnant of the shoreline of Lake Chicago. The Park Ridge Moraine is the oldest and westernmost of the five major Lake Border moraine ridges formed around 13,000 years ago in the Chicago region, created by glacier-deposited clay, sand, and gravel. It is part of the glacial topography that influenced the development of the Chicago area. (Submitted on April 14, 2026, by M.Bloom of Leyden, Illinois.)

Additional commentary.
1. Engraving on opposite side of granite marker.
On the opposite side of the granite marker is an engraving denoting that it was "Erected By Americans of Danish Origins 1929". Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted April 14, 2026, by M.Bloom of Leyden, Illinois.

Jacob A. Riis image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Library of Congress, circa 1904

4. Jacob A. Riis

Original Granite Marker With Bronze Plaque of Jacob Riis image. Click for full size.

Pre/1929

5. Original Granite Marker With Bronze Plaque of Jacob Riis

Granite marker originally installed with Bronze Plaque depiction of Jacob Riis. Later replaced with engraved marble slab.

Close-Up View of Original Granite Marker With Bronze Plaque image. Click for full size.

Pre/1929

6. Close-Up View of Original Granite Marker With Bronze Plaque

Close-Up View of Original Granite Marker With Bronze Plaque of Jacob Riis. Inscription reflects Cenotaph information.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 398 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 3, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on April 14, 2026, by M.Bloom of Leyden, Illinois. 3, 4. submitted on May 3, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5, 6. submitted on April 14, 2026, by M.Bloom of Leyden, Illinois.