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

Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams

1856-1931

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams Marker

Inscription.
Founded Provident Hospital, 1891
Performed 1st open-heart surgery, 1893

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 41° 50.797′ N, 87° 37.072′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is at the intersection of South Martin Luther King Junior Drive and Eastgate Place, on the right when traveling north on South Martin Luther King Junior Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2536 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,

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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 H. Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Carter G. Woodson (within shouting distance of this marker); Marjorie Stewart Joyner (within shouting distance of this marker); Monument to the Great Northern Migration (within shouting distance of this marker); Nat “King” Cole (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Ida Gray Nelson Rollin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bessie Coleman (about 300 feet away); Katherine Dunham (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. Roughly 100 Bronzeville Walk

Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams Marker on King Drive near Eastgate Place image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams Marker on King Drive near Eastgate Place

of Fame markers are found around the neighborhood along Martin Luther King Drive between 25th and 35th Streets.

Regarding Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams. The original Provident Hospital opened in 1891 at 29th and Dearborn Streets, founded by Hale-Williams because Blacks were being denied admission to nursing schools. About seven years later it moved to a new facility about seven blocks south of there, and then in 1933, after affiliating with the University of Chicago, it moved to its final location 426 E. 51st St., just north of Washington Park. The hospital closed in 1987, but was acquired by Cook County a few years later and re-opened in 1993 as a public hospital.

Dr. Hale-Williams gained notoreity in 1893 when he performed the first successful open-heart surgery to save the life of a young man who had been stabbed in the chest.

Also see . . . Daniel Hale-Williams bio. From the Provident

Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams (1856-1931) image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-021719)

3. Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams (1856-1931)

Foundation. (Submitted on August 17, 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 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.