Elgin in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Promise of Elgin
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026
1. The Promise of Elgin Marker
The "Promise of Elgin" mural serves as a constant reflection of who we are and a reminder of where we hope to go. Do you see yourself reflected in the Elgin community?
The "Making Space" project was initiated by community members in response to art painted on boarded-up store windows during the social justice protests in the summer of 2020. Created by Chicago artist Pablo Serrano, the mural is a community effort based on the history of Elgin leading to the events of 2020.
"'Making Space' challenges all of us with the key question: How can we go from passive navigators of the cultural structures of our present to active shapers of our environment so we can make sure such spaces reflect the collective values we share?"
¿Quiénes son las personas que te están mirando?
El mural "The Promise of Elgin" sirve como una reflexión constante de quiénes somos y un recordatorio de hacia dónde esperamos ir. ¿Te ves reflejado en la comunidad de Elgin?
El proyecto "Making Space" fue iniciado por miembros de la comunidad en respuesta al arte pintado en las ventanas de las tiendas durante las protestas por la justicia social en el verano de 2020. Creado por el artista de Chicago Pablo Serrano, el mural es un esfuerzo comunitario basado en la
this page online
""Making Space' nos desafia a todos con la pregunta clave involucrarnos: ¿Cómo podemos pasar de navegantes pasivos de las estructuras culturales de nuestro presente a formadores activos de nuestro entorno para que podamos asegurarnos de que estos espacios reflejen los valores colectivos que compartimos?"
A Nation Divided Cannot Stand.
El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido.
[Names in the outline of the mural at the top of the marker:]
Frederick Douglass • Lt. Colonel John S. Wilcox • Reverend A.J. Joslyn • Reverend Richard de Baptiste • Mary Newsome Wheeler • Arthur "Pete" Hall • Abram Smith • Thomas Shipp • George Floyd • Reference to Arthur & Peter Newsome • James Cameron • Alberta Fields Hunter • Ronald O'Neal • Robert Gilliam • DeCynthia Clements • Fromerly enslaved children being sent North to freedom • Sherman Hunter • Ernie Broadnax • YOU • Gianna Floyd • Tyri DeGements • People reacting to the events of 2020.
Erected by Making Space; Elgin History Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 2020.
Location. 42° 2.153′
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026
2. The Promise of Elgin mural and marker
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elgin's First Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veteran Post 49 G.A.R. Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Log Cabin Home of James T. Gifford (approx. ¼ mile away); W.W. I Memorial Davidson Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Davidson Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Elgin Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); James T. Gifford’s Log House (approx. ¼ mile away); Gifford Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.
More about this marker. The site of this mural was previously home to a different mural called American Nocturne, which was erected in 2007. After nine years on display, it became the center of controversy in 2016 when it was discovered that its source material was an infamous 1930 photograph of white onlookers at the lynching of two Black men, Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith, in Marion, Indiana. That mural was taken down and put into storage. Shipp and Smith are both depicted in the new mural, which was put up in 2020.
Regarding The Promise of Elgin. Other than George Floyd
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026
3. The Promise of Elgin
Also see . . .
1. Elgin History Museum: The Promise of Elgin Mural.
Excerpt: "This mural was installed as part of Making Space, an initiative organized by an ad-hoc group of community members in response to Black Lives Matter activism and the social protests that defined the summer of 2020. The story of 2020’s summer and this mural process have been documented in a documentary to ensure that the history is truthfully represented and not lost."(Submitted on May 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Chicago Reader: A controversial Elgin mural is stranded between censorship and outrage. The Promise of Elgin mural replaced a 2007 mural, called American Nocturne, which caused controversy in 2016 when it was discovered that its source material was a 1930 photograph of white onlookers at the lynching of two Black men in Marion, Indiana.
Excerpt: "For the next nine years, the mural hung there—under a tree, fronted by a bench, and facing a happier Powers mural that features a marching band (Parade). If any viewers wondered about the situation American Nocturne depicted, or recognized it, they didn’t bother to ask or comment publicly. That is, until May 17, when a passerby noticed its similarity to Beitler’s lynching photo and his companion posted images of both on the What’s Happening in Elgin? Facebook page. The post ignited a furor that quickly drew widespread attention, along with calls for the removal and/or destruction of what many saw as a racist work of art."(Submitted on May 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
