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

Nat “King” Cole

1919-1965

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Nat “King” Cole Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Nat “King” Cole Marker

Inscription.
Jazz pianist, vocalist, vocalist
Television show host

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 41° 50.79′ N, 87° 37.03′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bronzeville. It is on South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive north of East 26th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Carter G. Woodson

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Ida Gray Nelson Rollin (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); John H. Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Monument to the Great Northern Migration (within shouting distance of this marker); Bessie Coleman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Butterbean and Susie" (about 300 feet away); Marjorie Stewart Joyner (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. Roughly 100 Bronzeville Walk of Fame markers are found around the neighborhood along Martin Luther King Drive between 25th and 35th Streets.

Regarding Nat “King” Cole. This marker is a short distance south of the Monument to the Great Northern Migration — something that Cole himself was part of. Born in Alabama, Cole was 4 years old when his family moved north to Chicago. The Chicago home where he grew up is a couple of miles south of here at 4023 S. Vincennes; it is the site of a Chicago Tribute historical marker.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Nat “King” Cole Marker

The marker is within shouting distance of the Monument to the Great Northern Migration, which is on the left side. McCormick Place, Chicago's convention center, is in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.