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

Elijah Muhammad

1897-1975

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Elijah Muhammad Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Elijah Muhammad Marker

Inscription.
Founder, Nation of Islam

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list.

Location. 41° 50.491′ N, 87° 37.022′ 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 29th 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: Chester A. “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett (within shouting

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distance of this marker); The Savoy Big Five (within shouting distance of this marker); Oscar G. Brown, Sr. / Oscar Brown, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong / Lil Hardin-Armstrong (within shouting distance of this marker); Haki Madhubuti (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sam Cooke (about 300 feet away); Jesse Owens (about 300 feet away); George Johnson (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 Elijah Muhammad. Elijah Muhammad was born in Georgia in 1897 as Elijah Robert Poole, the son of sharecroppers. After marrying, he joined the Great Migration north to Detroit, where, a few years later, he attended a speech by Wallace Fard Muhammad, the founder of Nation of Islam (contrary to what is stated on this plaque). Poole joined the movement and fast became a prominent member, changing his name and becoming leader of its Temple #2 in Chicago. When Fard disappeared in 1934,

Elijah Muhammad Marker on the east side of King Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Elijah Muhammad Marker on the east side of King Drive

Muhammad became leader of the Nation of Islam and relocated its headquarters to Chicago. Over the next four decades, the Nation of Islam emerged as a national movement. He died of congestive heart failure at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, about a ½-mile north of here, in 1975.

Also see . . . Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. From PBS, a look at the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X. (Submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley Wolfson, World Telegram & Sun; courtesy of Library of Congress, circa 1964

3. Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975)

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 4 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.