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

Ralph H. Metcalfe

1910-1978

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Ralph H. Metcalfe Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Ralph H. Metcalfe Marker

Inscription.
Olympic gold medalist, alderman
Elected to U.S. Congress, 1970

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Political Subdivisions • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 41° 50.352′ N, 87° 37.018′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is on South Martin Luther King Drive 0.1 miles north of East 31st Strett, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3001 South Martin Luther 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

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Willa Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Harold Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Corneal Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Lou Rawls (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Mae Jemison (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Joesph H. Jackson (about 300 feet away); Robert S. Abbott (about 300 feet away); Margaret Goss Burroughs (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 Ralph H. Metcalfe. Metcalfe was born in Georgia but grew up in Chicago. He attended Marquette University on a track scholarship, and for a time he co-owned the world records for both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. He won four Olympic medals, including a gold medal as a member of the 4-by-100-meter relay in Berlin in 1936. He also won silver medals for the 100 meters in 1932 and 1936; perhaps most famously, Metcalfe was awarded second

Ralph H. Metcalfe Marker on King Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Ralph H. Metcalfe Marker on King Drive

place in 100 meters in 1932 when a virtual dead heat was ruled to have been a victory for his rival, Eddie Tolan. After serving in the transportation corps during World War II, Metcalfe was an alderman serving Chicago's south side before he successfully ran for Congress in 1970. He died of a heart attack while running for re-election in 1978.

Also see . . . Ralph Harold Metcalfe. From the U.S. House of Representatives website.

Excerpt from his extended bio: "In the House, Metcalfe focused on assisting his South Side district. Prior to arriving on Capitol Hill, Metcalfe had led the Chicago city council’s housing committee, and he used that experience to shape bills in Congress. Metcalfe introduced legislation to increase the availability of home improvement loans and federal housing programs to benefit his constituents. He also advocated funding for security measures to protect residents living in public housing and fought to eliminate 'redlining,' the discriminatory practice of withholding funds for home loans and insurance from low-income and predominately Black neighborhoods."

(Submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Ralph H. Metcalfe image. Click for full size.

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, circa 1971

3. Ralph H. Metcalfe

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