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

Walter T. Bailey Giles

1882-1941

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Walter T. Bailey Giles Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Walter T. Bailey Giles Marker

Inscription.
Illinois' first Black registered architect

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 41° 50.692′ N, 87° 37.028′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is on South Martin Luther King Drive south of East 26th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2601 South King Drive, 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: John Moutoussamy (a few steps from this marker); Jack L. Cooper

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Robert R. Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); Al Benson (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Sumner Duke (within shouting distance of this marker); "Butterbean and Susie" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anthony Overton (about 300 feet away); Robert Motts (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 Walter T. Bailey Giles. It is almost completely certain that the inclusion of the name "Giles" is an error. Walter T. Bailey was born in Kewaunee, Illinois, about 150 miles west of Chicago, and in 1904 he was the first African American to graduate from the University of Illinois. He later moved to Chicago where he received his most famous commission, the National Knights of Pythias Temple, which was located on the 3700 block of S. State Street, about a mile southwest of this marker. That building, completed in 1928, featured Egyptian revival

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Walter T. Bailey Giles Marker

features; it was torn down in 1980.

Also see . . . Walter T. Bailey (Wikipedia). (Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.