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

Paul Laurence Dunbar

June 27, 1872-February 9, 1906

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

1. Paul Laurence Dunbar Marker

Inscription. The son of freed slaves, Paul Laurence Dunbar published his first collection of poetry entitled "Oak and Ivy" in 1893. Early in his career, he edited a newspaper published by friend, Orville Wright, of aviation fame. Dunbar later befriended abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass who arranged to have him read his poetry at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Dunbar went on to produce a vast body of work including poems, novels, and short stories and to become the first African-American poet to gain national distinction and acceptance.

Sculptor: Debra L. Hand

Erected 2014 by Chicago Park District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Air & Space • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1872.

Location. 41° 50.313′ N, 87° 37.246′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is at the intersection of East 31st Street and South Prairie Avenue on East 31st Street. The marker is affixed to a statue of Dunbar in the south end of Dunbar Park. Touch for map.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 East 31st Street, 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: Unity Hall (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Mae Jemison (approx. 0.2 miles away); John “Jack” Johnson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Corneal Davis (approx. 0.2 miles away); Margaret Goss Burroughs (approx. 0.2 miles away); Theresa Needham (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. J.B. Martin (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Paul Laurence Dunbar. Paul L. Dunbar was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He died there in 1906 of tuberculosis. This park on Chicago’s south side

Paul Laurence Dunbar statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

2. Paul Laurence Dunbar statue

is next to a high school also named after Dunbar.

Also see . . .
1. Paul Laurence Dunbar Monument. From the Chicago Park District website (Submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Poetry Foundation: Paul Laurence Dunbar bio. (Submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Debra Hand: The Gifted Apple That Fell from an Amazing Tree. From South Side Drive Magazine.

Excerpt: “Debra Hand didn’t plan on being an artist. She was happily employed in a second tier Technical Support position. That meant if someone couldn’t fix a problem, they would call someone else, and if they couldn’t fix it, that’s when she got the call. She says she 'stumbled' into art when she was helping her son with a school project. She tells us, 'He had to paint something, so I bought watercolors, and was showing him how to make a tree. While he was working on his project I started painting, and I had such a wonderful experience creating that way.'”

(Submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

3. Paul Laurence Dunbar statue

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.