Illinois, Remembering the 1917 East St. Louis Race Riot Historical Markers
24 markers remembering the horrific destruction of the African American community and the loss of innocent life. The erecting organizations are The 1917 East St. Louis Centennial Commission & Cultural Initiative and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) College of Arts & Sciences.
On Pennsylvania Avenue at Katherine Dunham Place, on the right when traveling east on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Here stood the home of Malbern Stephens, a decent man who fought corruption. He was elected mayor after the riot and oversaw reparations to the victims. — — Map (db m142346) HM
On Piggott Avenue at South 10th Street, on the right when traveling south on Piggott Avenue.
Hundreds crossed the Municipal Free Bridge over to St. Louis to escape the violence. White rioters attempted to block the entrance, killing some. — — Map (db m142231) HM
On South 10th Street at Trendley Avenue, on the left when traveling east on South 10th Street.
White rioters attempted to push their violence past 10th Street, but snipers were ready and fired shots. Rioters retreated, but there was still much damage. — — Map (db m142227) HM
On Dr. M R Lemons Boulevard at Bond Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Dr. M R Lemons Boulevard.
Dr. Leroy Bundy lived here. He was a community leader in 1917. He stood trial and was found guilty of causing the riot. He was sentenced to life in prison. He was later exonerated by the Illinois Supreme Court. — — Map (db m142225) HM
On North 9th Street just south of Pennsylvania Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Marcus Garvey blamed the massacre on Mayor Fred Mollman, who lived at this site. The mayor was incompetent and was indicted for not doing his duty. — — Map (db m142460) HM
On East Broadway (Illinois Route 15) at North 7th Street, on the right when traveling east on East Broadway.
The Broadway "Opera House" was an empty theater on this site. It was rumored that many African Americans were burned to death inside. No remains were identified in the ashes. — — Map (db m142238) HM
On Collinsville Avenue at St. Louis Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Collinsville Avenue.
Here is where the white rioters assembled, listened to inflammatory speeches, and marched in military formation toward East Broadway. The first victim was harmed here. — — Map (db m142344) HM
On Nectar Avenue at North 14th Street, on the left when traveling east on Nectar Avenue.
A dozen houses were destroyed here. It was two miles from the massacre's core and is the farthest point north that the violence spread. — — Map (db m142518) HM
On North 18th Street at Parsons Avenue, on the left when traveling north on North 18th Street.
Several homes were burned here, but fatalities were few. Many African Americans were alerted to the trouble by this time and fled the neighborhood. — — Map (db m142520) HM
On North 3rd Street at Missouri Avenue, on the left when traveling west on North 3rd Street.
Near this site was the City Hall, police department and fire station. On the night of the massacre, more than 1,000 people sought safety in the municipal buildings. — — Map (db m142338) HM
On North 4th Street just north of East Broadway (Illinois Route 15), on the right when traveling east.
Narsis Gurlie lived near this spot. She stayed in her burning home until it collapsed. Severely burned, she and others fled. She was allowed to escape, but she lost everything. — — Map (db m142320) HM
On North 9th Street at St. Clair Avenue (Illinois Route 3), on the right when traveling east on North 9th Street.
On May 28, 1917, whites set fires and accosted African Americans around St. Clair Avenue. Authorities dispersed the rioters, but the troubles were not over. — — Map (db m142936) HM
On North 13th Street at Gross Avenue, on the right when traveling east on North 13th Street.
Around 11 p.m. on July 2, rioters set fire to the neighborhood here in an attempt to spread the violence to the north. Major military reinforcements did not arrive until after midnight. — — Map (db m142464) HM
On East Broadway (Illinois Route 15) at Barack Obama Avenue, on the right when traveling south on East Broadway.
A streetcar was stopped near this spot. White rioters pulled African American passengers off and attacked them while soldiers stood and watched. — — Map (db m142319) HM
On Barack Obama Avenue at Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Barack Obama Avenue.
Here stood the residence of Scott and Iva Clark. Rioters burned their home, and a mob attacked them. A soldier did not protect them. Mr. Clark died. — — Map (db m142317) HM
On South 5th Street at Railroad Avenue when traveling north on South 5th Street.
The most severe property damage happened here. Houses and rail cars on the adjacent tracks were destroyed by the rioters. Very little remained standing in this area. — — Map (db m142286) HM
On Railroad Avenue, 0.1 miles east of South 5th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Over 100 African Americans barricaded in two homes here. They provided armed resistance to the white attackers. Soldiers brokered a cease fire and escorted them to St. Louis. — — Map (db m142285) HM
On South 8th Street at James R Thompson Boulevard, on the left when traveling east on South 8th Street.
White rioters burned homes, armed men stood along the railroad tracks near here and gunned-down African Americans fleeing their burning homes. — — Map (db m142282) HM
On North 8th Street (Illinois Route 15) at East Broadway (Illinois Route 15), on the right when traveling west on North 8th Street.
Otto Nelson lived here, the only African American detective on the police force. His home was destroyed and he fled to St. Louis. — — Map (db m142239) HM
