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

Dr. Sun Yet-San

The Father of The Republic of China

— 1866-1925 —

Dr. Sun Yet-San Marker, Side One image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

1. Dr. Sun Yet-San Marker, Side One

The text on the front of the statue appears to be a Chinese-language version of the English text on the rear.

Inscription. For Celebration of the Bicentennial Commemoration of The United States of America

The Age of Great Comity
By Confucius When the Great Way is implemented, the world-state is for the equality of all peoples. The sagacious and capable are appointed as civilian officials. Trustworthiness is instilled and neighborliness cultivated. Therefore, people are pious to all parents, not just their own parents, nurture all children, not just their own children. The old are provided for till their death, the adults are employed, and the young developed Widows and widowers, orphans and the childless, the sick and disabled, all are well cared for. Men have their proper positions, women have their families. Wasting of commodities are despised, nor hording them for their own use. Not contributing one's efforts are abhorred same as devoting them for one's own ends. Thus, evil schemes are repressed and cannot flourish; robbers, thieves, and rebels cannot commit their crimes: Therefore, doors do not need to be closed, this is called "the Age of Great Comity."

Presented by District 300 of Lions International, The Republic of China
Reconstruction in 2018 by Overseas Community Affairs
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Council, The Republic of China
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Chicago

Erected 2018.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 41° 50.889′ N, 87° 38.078′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Chinatown. It is on 24th Place near Princeton Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The statue is on the west end of Sun Yat-Sen Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 251 West 24th Place, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 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 marker: Confucius (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chinese American Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago's Chinatown (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hilliard Towers Apartments (approx. 0.4 miles away); Quinn Chapel (approx. half a mile away); Historic World War II Victory Garden

Dr. Sun Yet-San Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

2. Dr. Sun Yet-San Marker, Side Two

The text in English appears to be a translation of the Chinese text on the front.

(approx. half a mile away); Hilliard Apartments (approx. half a mile away); Gregory J. Sintic Park (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago’s Chinatown (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. The text in the "Inscription" above is on the rear of the memorial, and it appears to be the English translation of the Chinese text from the front of the statue. The statue clearly spells the last part Dr. Sun's mame with an a (Dr. Sun Yet-San), however the park's official name aligns with the most common spelling of his name, with an e: Sun Yat-Sen.

Photos from the Chicago Park District show the original memorial, erected in 1977, which includes what appears to be the same bronze bust on a cylindrical base. It is not known if the text on the bust was the same as the newer memorial, erected in 2018.

This park, whose southern border is the Stevenson Expressway (I-55), was the first

Dr. Sun Yet-San Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

3. Dr. Sun Yet-San Marker

The statue is seen in the distance in this south-facing photo taken from Princeton Avenue.

green space in Chinatown in many years when it was created in the 1970s. Chinatown's only two parks had been demolished in the early 1960s to make way for the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94, whose elevated section is visible from this park).

Regarding Dr. Sun Yet-San. Sun Yet-Sen was the leader of Chinese Nationalist Party who is credited as the father of modern China. He helped overthrow the Qing dynasty in 1911 and 1912 and was first provisional president of the Republic of China.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Public Art Blog: Sun Yat-Sen Portrait Bust and Fountain. The article includes a photo of the bust and its base before the 2018 restoration.

Excerpt: "This Chinese revolutionary, first president and founding father of the Republic of China, is honored in this one-third-acre park in Chinatown. Before being elected president in 1911, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (1866–1925) visited Chicago on three occasions as well as numerous other U.S. cities seeking support and funds to help overthrow the Qing Dynasty."

(Submitted on February 25, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Wikipedia: Sun Yat-Sen.

Excerpt: "Uniquely among 20th-century Chinese leaders, Sun is revered in both Taiwan
Chicago Park District Special Collections, circa 1977

4. Dr. Sun Yet-Sen park dedication
(where he is officially the "Father of the Nation") and in the People's Republic of China (where he is officially the "Forerunner of the Revolution") for his instrumental role in ending Qing rule and overseeing the conclusion of the Chinese dynastic system."

(Submitted on February 25, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Harris & Ewing photograph collection; Library of Congress

5. Sun Yet-Sen

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 25, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.