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

The First Automobile Race in America

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. The First Automobile Race in America Marker

Inscription. This Jackson Park location marks the start and finish of the first automobile race in America. On Thanksgiving Day, 1895, six cars — four gasoline powered and two electric — raced fifty-four miles to Evanston and back. J. Frank Duryea won the race in seven hours and fifty-three minutes driving a gasoline powered vehicle. This race introduced the automobile to America.

Erected 1995 by The American Autosport Centennial Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is November 28, 1895.

Location. 41° 47.196′ N, 87° 35.111′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Jackson Park. It can be reached from South Stony Island Avenue near Midway Plaisance, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the grounds of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, not far from the building's northeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6001 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side. It is also in the American

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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: Alison Saar, b. 1956 (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Jackson Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Maya Lin, b. 1959 (within shouting distance of this marker); Ann Dunham (within shouting distance of this marker); Julie Mehretu, b. 1970 (within shouting distance of this marker); Rain, Snow, Flush, Grow (within shouting distance of this marker); Remembering Lori Healey (1959-2025) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. When this marker was erected in 1995 for the 100th anniversary of the race, it was placed near what was then the intersection of Midway Plaisance

The First Automobile Race in America Marker near the Obama Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. The First Automobile Race in America Marker near the Obama Center

and Cornell Drive, not far from the Museum of Science and Industry. As part of the creation of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, Cornell Drive was lopped off a block north of Midway, and the area there either incorporated into the Obama Center or converted into parkland. Based on archival photos and old maps, it appears that the rock's spot on the campus of the Obama Center is very close to where it previously stood.

Regarding The First Automobile Race in America. The race is often referenced as the Chicago Times-Herald Race, named after the newspaper that sponsored it.

Also see . . .
1. The Rock, Jackson Park (YouTube). This 2013 video visits the rock and offers a view of its backdrop in Jackson Park before the Barack Obama Presidential Center was created at the site. (Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago Times-Herald race (Wikipedia). (Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

J. Frank Duryea and his winning car in the <i>Chicago Times-Herald</i> race on Thanksgiving Day 1895 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum (ICHi-009009), November 28, 1895

3. J. Frank Duryea and his winning car in the Chicago Times-Herald race on Thanksgiving Day 1895

The caption provided by the Chicago History Museum says he is seated with umpire Arthur W. White.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.