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

Oscar DePriest

1871-1951

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Oscar DePriest Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

1. Oscar DePriest Marker

Inscription.
Elected to City Council, 1915
Elected to U.S. Congress, 1929

Erected 1996.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 41° 50.079′ N, 87° 37.032′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is at the intersection of South Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and 33rd Boulevard, in the median on South Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: L, 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,

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and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William L. Dawson (a few steps from this marker); Mahalia Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop Louis Henry Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Theodore K. Lawless (within shouting distance of this marker); Ernest Griffin (about 400 feet away); Claude Albert Barnett / Etta Moten Barnett (about 500 feet away); Robert W. Roloson Houses (about 500 feet away); Ida B. Wells-Barnett (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Other markers no longer nearby. Camp Douglas (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Douglas Plaza (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Oscar DePriest. Oscar DePriest was born in Kansas and moved to Kansas as a child. He came to Chicago when he was 18 and became successful in real estate; he later served on

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

2. Oscar DePriest Marker

the Chicago City Council. In 1928 DePriest was elected to Congress representing Illinois's 1st District, which included the Loop and much of the South Side, including the Bronzeville native. (Although the boundaries have changed greatly, Bronzeville is still today part of the 1st District.) He was the first African American elected to Congress in the 20th century and the first from outside the South; during his three terms, he was the only Black representative in Congress. DePriest was defeated in 1934 by Arthur Mitchell, who became the first African American in Congress elected as a Democrat. DePriest later served on the city council again. The apartment complex he lived in, about 12 blocks south of here at 4536-4538 King Drive, is a National Historic Landmark.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Historical marker at Oscar DePriest's home on King Drive

Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Chicago: Oscar DePriest. (Submitted on May 22, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Oscar DePriest (1871-1951) image. Click for full size.

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

3. Oscar DePriest (1871-1951)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on May 22, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.