Remembering 1919: Glass Markers Honor Chicago’s Race Riot Victims
A powerful new initiative, The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project, is bringing the forgotten history of Chicago’s 1919 race riot to life through a series of unique glass memorials embedded in city sidewalks. These markers serve as poignant reminders of a pivotal, yet often untaught, moment in Chicago’s past and its ongoing legacy.
Unearthing a Buried History: The 1919 Chicago Race Riot
Over a century ago, Chicago erupted into racial violence following the death of Eugene Williams, a Black 17-year-old, who drowned after being hit by stones thrown by a white man at a “whites-only” beach. The ensuing week of terror, marked by white mobs targeting Black residents, left 38 people dead—23 Black and 15 white. This devastating event, which historians note is rarely discussed, significantly fueled the city’s segregation and led to lasting structural inequities in neglected Black neighborhoods.
Victims of the Violence
Among those killed was Paul Hardwick, an African American waiter at the Palmer House hotel. He was chased, shot, beaten, and robbed at the corner of Adams Street and Wabash Avenue. Another victim, Robert Williams, a Black man, was fatally stabbed at State and Van Buren streets. Their stories, and those of the other victims, are now being immortalized.
Glass Memorials: Art as Commemoration and Healing
The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project, spearheaded by history professor Peter Cole and Franklin Cosey-Gay, is installing brick-shaped glass memorials at the approximate locations where these killings occurred. The goal is not only to honor the dead but also to explicitly link the riot to contemporary urban disparities.
“Our goal was to have something embedded in the community — literally embedded in the concrete,” says Myles X Francis, the project’s director of operations. These markers are intended to be “a conversation piece,” prompting passersby to confront this difficult history as they go about their daily lives.
A Project Forged by Those Impacted by Violence
A distinctive aspect of this project is the involvement of young people who have themselves been impacted by violence. Overseen by Firebird Community Arts, an East Garfield Park organization with a trauma-informed arts program, these artists create the glass markers. Each piece not only bears the name of a victim but also incorporates imagery inspired by their lives, the city, and even the artists themselves. The financial support for this initiative comes from the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
The Artists’ Voices
For the young creators, this work is deeply personal. Brian Sanner, 17, from Back of the Yards, describes the process as “a form of therapy. It’s just a good experience all around.” Lynquell “LA” Biggs, 24, from Auburn Gresham, emphasized the “blood, sweat and tears” poured into the project, hoping the markers inspire learning. Artist “BZ,” 26, of North Lawndale, reflected on the trauma endured by “Black and Brown and indigenous people,” adding, “I just want people to see that and know that we overcame that.”
Franklin Cosey-Gay expressed profound pride in the artists: “For that art to be part of their pathway of recovery, and to be represented in the city as a sign of resistance and healing just overwhelms me with positive emotion.”
Bringing History to the Streets: Walking Tours
Recently, a public walking tour in the Loop highlighted some of the newly installed markers, including Paul Hardwick’s plaque. Nineteen markers have been installed to date, with another nineteen planned for installation over the coming months. These tours, like the recent one following a panel discussion at the Harold Washington Library Center, provide an opportunity for Chicagoans to engage directly with the physical manifestations of this crucial history.
The Riot’s Grim Toll
The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 was a week of intense racial violence. Here’s a breakdown of the lives lost:
| Group | Fatalities |
|---|---|
| Black People | 23 |
| White People | 15 |
| Total | 38 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What sparked the Chicago Race Riot of 1919?
The riot began on July 27, 1919, after a white man hurled stones at Eugene Williams, a Black teenager, causing him to drown in Lake Michigan at a segregated beach. Police failed to arrest the perpetrator, leading to widespread racial unrest. - What is The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project?
It’s an initiative installing brick-shaped glass memorials in sidewalks across Chicago at sites where people were killed during the 1919 riot. Its aim is to honor victims and highlight the riot’s lasting impact on the city’s structural inequities. - Who created these glass markers?
The markers were created by young people who have been impacted by violence, working under the guidance of Firebird Community Arts, an East Garfield Park organization with a trauma-informed arts program. - Where can I see these memorials?
The markers are embedded in sidewalks throughout the city, with some of the newest additions featured in the Loop at locations like Adams Street and Wabash Avenue. Public walking tours are also organized to visit these sites. - How many memorials are planned?
Nineteen markers have been installed so far, and another nineteen are slated for installation in the coming months, bringing the total to 38, commemorating each person killed.
By physically embedding this history into the urban landscape, Chicagoans are now invited to stumble upon, reflect on, and ultimately understand the profound and enduring impact of the 1919 race riot on their city.
Chicago glass markers honor 1919 race riot victims
