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

The Savoy Big Five

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. The Savoy Big Five Marker

Inscription.
Basketball team became the Harlem Globetrotters in 1927

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 41° 50.529′ N, 87° 37.025′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is at the intersection of East 29th Street and South Martin Luther King Drive, on the right when traveling west on East 29th Street. 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

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of this marker: George Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Haki Madhubuti (within shouting distance of this marker); Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong / Lil Hardin-Armstrong (within shouting distance of this marker); Jesse Owens (within shouting distance of this marker); Elijah Muhammad (within shouting distance of this marker); Reverend Mother York (within shouting distance of this marker); Chester A. “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Captain Walter Dyett (about 400 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 The Savoy Big Five. The core of the Savoy Big Five was formed by star basketball players from Wendell Phillips High School. They were named after Savoy Ballroom, which opened that year in Bronzeville. That team later became the Harlem Globetrotters, thus named to link it to link it to what was then considered the center of Black America.

The Savoy Big Five Marker at the intersection of 29th and King Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. The Savoy Big Five Marker at the intersection of 29th and King Drive

Harlem Globetrotters image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-040465), 1931

3. Harlem Globetrotters

Caption from the Chicago History Museum: "Posed portraits of Harlem Globetrotters players from the 1931 season, including Inman Jackson, Toots Wright, and Al Pullins. Some of the photographs are signed to coach Abe Saperstein."

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on May 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.