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

Casey "Chicken Charlie" Jones

Unknown dates

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Casey "Chicken Charlie" Jones Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 28, 2026

1. Casey "Chicken Charlie" Jones Marker

Inscription. Street performer with his chicken, Mae

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Animals • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list.

Location. 41° 50.083′ N, 87° 37.016′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bronzeville. It is at the intersection of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and East 33rd Street, on the right when traveling north on South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side and in Chicago’s Bronzeville.

It is also 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

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rev. Jessie “Ma” Houston (a few steps from this marker); Oscar DePriest (a few steps from this marker); William L. Dawson (within shouting distance of this marker); Mahalia Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); Willie Dixon (within shouting distance of this marker); McKinley Morganfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop Louis Henry Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Theodore K. Lawless (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Camp Douglas (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . "NO DIME, NO SHOW” – Chicago’s own Chicken Man. The Chicago and Cook County Cemeteries blog looks back at "Chicken Charlie," who was known all over the South Side of Chicago for playing the accordion on street corners and for the live chicken on his head.

Excerpt: "He described himself as a show-man, who had played the accordion on the streets for many years prior to his chicken phase.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 28, 2026

2. Casey "Chicken Charlie" Jones Marker at 33rd and King Drive
When his accordion gave out, he added the chicken act to his repertoire His original trademark was an old squeeze box in a battered tin case, but you could also recognize him with a cardboard sign around his neck, a long string adorned with such items as a toy telephone, dolls, and even bottles of beer."

(Submitted on September 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.