East Side in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
About the Sculpture
Photographed by Daniel Barriball
1. About the Sculpture Marker
Ed Blaszak, a local resident and employee of Republic Steel, designed the sculpture in 1981. His work conveys the interrelationship between the once towering steel industry, seen here in the 6 tall bars, and the people of Chicago's Southeast side, represented by the wide oval base and the 4 low bars.
Per the artist's concept, the sculpture is 100% steel made from locally produced material and fabricated by the employees of Republic Steel at the 116th Street and Burley Avenue plant.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1981.
Location. 41° 40.974′ N, 87° 32.396′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the East Side. It is at the intersection of South Avenue O and East 117th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Avenue O. This marker is affixed to the west side of the Memorial Day Massacre Sculpture on the grounds of the Chicago Fire Department Engine 104 station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60617,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Illinois’ Calumet Region. 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 Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: MartyrsHeroesUnionists (here, next to this marker); Steelworkers Organize in the Southeast Side (here, next to this marker); National Historic Site Memorial Day Massacre (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named MartyrsHeroesUnionists (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Illinois-Indiana Boundary Marker (approx. 1.9 miles away); East Side Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Castle #30 - Whiting, IN (approx. 2.1 miles away in Indiana); Whiting Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away in Indiana). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, July 17, 2026
2. About the Sculpture Marker in context
The marker plaque is affixed to the base of the Memorial Day Massacre Sculpture.
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, July 17, 2026
3. Front View of the Memorial Day Massacre Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
