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

Wendell Phillips High School

William Bryce Mundie, architect; 1904

— Chicago Landmark —

Wendell Phillips High School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

1. Wendell Phillips High School Marker

Inscription. Named for a prominent 19th-century abolitionist, this Classical Revival-style school was Chicago's first predominantly African-American high school. It is noteworthy for its many distinguished alumni and faculty, including Chicago's first African-American principal, Maudelle Brown Bousfield. Its winning basketball teams brought early attention to the African-American athletic talent in Chicago's public schools at a time when the sport was largely segregated. Phillips students formed the nucleus of a basketball team that later became the Harlem Globetrotters.

Designated on May 7, 2003
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected 1904 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks, City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 7, 2003.

Location. 41° 49.442′ N, 87° 37.182′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is on East Pershing Road west

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of South Giles Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 244 East Pershing Road, Chicago IL 60653, 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: Giles-Calumet (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Giles-Calumet (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Giles-Calumet (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Giles-Calumet (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Giles-Calumet (about 700 feet away); Richard Wright (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Ida B. Wells Homes (approx. ¼ mile away); Bessie Coleman (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Wendell Phillips High School. The school is today called Wendell Phillips Academy High School. Its numerous notable former students include singers Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke and Dinah Washington, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gwendolyn Brooks, and actress Marla Gibbs.

Also see . . .
1. Wendell Phillips High School. The 2002 report about the building from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

Excerpt:
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

2. Wendell Phillips High School
“Built almost a century ago, Wendell Phillips High School was hailed as one of Chicago's first ‘modern’ high schools, according to the AL4 Guide to Chicago. The guide goes on to state that the building was ‘intended to grace an affluent neighborhood with a “stately presence” of red brick and a colossal Ionic order and to provide “everything that can vitalize and energize the school work."'”

(Submitted on May 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago's Harlem Globetrotters.

Excerpt: "The Globetrotters emerged from a team of athletes from Wendell Phillips High School. They played under the banner of the South Side's Giles Post of the American Legion. They eventually became the Savoy Big Five, taking their new name from Bronzeville's Savoy Ballroom. Saperstein was the team's coach, promoter, traveling secretary and, when injury or fatigue struck one of the players, substitute off the bench."

(Submitted on May 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Wendell Phillips Academy High School official site. (Submitted on May 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Phillips Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

3. Phillips Academy

Wendell Phillips High School image. Click for more information.

Barnes-Crosby Company; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-019126), circa 1904

4. Wendell Phillips High School

Wendell Phillips (1811-1884) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mathew Brady, circa 1855

5. Wendell Phillips (1811-1884)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on May 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on May 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.