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

Jesse Owens

1913-1980

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Jesse Owens Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Jesse Owens Marker

Inscription.
Olympic gold medalist, 1936

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 41° 50.537′ N, 87° 37.065′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is on South Martin Luther King Drive north of East 29th Street, on the right when traveling south. 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: Haki Madhubuti (a few steps from this marker); Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong / Lil Hardin-Armstrong (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Reverend Mother York (within shouting distance of this marker); The Savoy Big Five (within shouting distance of this marker); George Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Walter Dyett (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elijah Muhammad (about 300 feet away); Dempsey J. Travis (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 Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens grew up in Cleveland (he was known as the "Buckeye Bullet") and starred as a track athlete at Ohio State University. Almost 10 years after his exploits at the 1936 Berlin Olympics — winning gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump and 4x100-meter relay (along with Ralph Metcalfe, who is also honored with a Bronzeville Walk of Fame plaque) — Owens and his family moved to Chicago in the 1940s, and he stayed there until retiring to Arizona in 1972. He died in 1980 and is buried in Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery.

Jesse Owens Marker on the west side of King Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Jesse Owens Marker on the west side of King Drive

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