Artists Commemorate Chicago's 1919 Race Riot with Glass Markers
The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project has dedicated years to installing memorials citywide to honor those killed during this significant event. The newest additions were showcased in a walking tour held Saturday in the Loop.
Remembering Paul Hardwick
At the busy corner of Adams Street and Wabash Avenue—often just a passing point for theatre-goers, festival attendees, and museum visitors—Paul Hardwick took his last breath over a century ago. The African American man was heading to work at the Palmer House hotel when a group of about 30 white assailants chased him. He was shot in the chest, beaten, and robbed.
Hardwick’s death was among the 38 fatalities during the Chicago Race Riot of 1919, an event that is rarely taught or discussed in history lessons.
Memorializing a Forgotten Victim
Thanks to the Commemoration Project, Hardwick is now memorialized with a glass marker embedded in the sidewalk at the site of his death. Volunteers have installed 19 brick-shaped glass memorials at locations linked to the killings, offering a tangible remembrance across the city.
Community Involvement and Artistic Oversight
The memorials were created by young people affected by violence, under the guidance of Firebird Community Arts, an organization in East Garfield Park that runs a trauma-informed arts program.
“For many, the corner of Adams Street and Wabash Avenue is just a busy stop on their way to see a show, attend a festival, or take in the sights, but for Paul Hardwick, it was where he took his last breath.”
These markers serve as lasting reminders of a violent chapter in Chicago’s history, often overlooked but deeply impactful.
Summary: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project honors victims through glass markers across the city, turning forgotten stories like Paul Hardwick’s into powerful public memorials.