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

Harold Washington

1924-1987

— Mayor Of The City Of Chicago —

Harold Washington Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 12, 2016

1. Harold Washington Marker

Inscription. Harold Washington was elected Chicago's first African American Mayor on April 21 1983. He brought together a coalition of Chicagoans that spanned economic, social and racial lines.

Of his legacy, he said: I hope someday to be remembered by history as the Mayor who cared about people and who was, above all, fair.

The Harold Washington Library Center was dedicated in his honor in 1991 in keeping with his steadfast belief in education and love of reading. The Library is open to all to read, learn and discover.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics.

Location. 41° 52.584′ N, 87° 37.67′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker can be reached from State Street. At the Harold Washington Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 South State Street, Chicago IL 60605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Leiter II Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Colony Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fisher Building (about 500 feet away); State Street (about 500 feet away); Dearborn Street

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(about 500 feet away); Auditorium Building (about 500 feet away); The DePaul Center (about 600 feet away); The Morton Building / Hotel Blake (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. About the Harold Washington Library Center. "In 1987, Mayor Harold Washington ordered a design/build competition for a new central library in the South Loop. The City Council authorized the competition and the $144 million bond issue to finance the project on July 29, 1987. Based on both design and cost criteria, an 11-member citizen jury selected the design by Thomas Beeby from Hammond, Beeby & Babka, Inc. as the winner on June 20, 1988. Groundbreaking took place October 13, 1988, using imported soil because the location at State and Van Buren streets was an asphalt-covered parking lot. ... Dedicated October 4, 1991, HWLC opened October 7, 1991. Named for Harold Washington (1922-1987), the city's first African American mayor." (Submitted on February 18, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

2. Biography of Harold Washington. Chicago Public Library. (Submitted on February 18, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 12, 2016

2. Harold Washington Marker

Harold Washington image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 12, 2016

3. Harold Washington

Close-up of image on marker

Harold Washington Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 12, 2016

4. Harold Washington Library

Harold Washington Library Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 12, 2016

5. Harold Washington Library Center

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 12, 2016

6. Barn Owl

Corner decoration on the Thomas Beeby's HWLC building.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 637 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 17, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on February 18, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.