Chicago Defender Building, Chicago
Initially built in 1899 as a Jewish synagogue, this building housed the Chicago Defender (the nation's foremost African-American newspaper through World War I) from 1920-1960.
Initially built in 1899 as a Jewish synagogue, this building housed the Chicago Defender (the nation's foremost African-American newspaper through World War I) from 1920-1960. The Chicago Defender published works by Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks, and is largely credited for starting the Great Migration in its exhortations to southern blacks to move to the North for greater economic opportunities and freedom. The building is oddly vacant and neglected at present and may be available for sale.
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About Chicago Defender Building
3435 Indiana Ave
Chicago Defender Building and Nearby Sights on Map
Sunset Cafe
Countless jazz legends played at this legendary jazz club, including: Bix Beiderbecke, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Earl Hines, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, and of course, Louis Armstrong
Eighth Regiment Armory
This was the first armory for an African-American regiment, serving the 'Fighting 8th,' which fought in the Spanish-American War and served with distinction in World War I
Victory Monument (Chicago)
This monument was built in 1928 to honor the service of the African-American Eighth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard in France during World War I
Unity Hall
Built in 1887 to house a Jewish social organization, this building became famous as the headquarters of the Peoples Movement Club, founded by Oscar Stanton De Priest (1871-1951), the first African-American on Chicago's City Council and the first northern black delegate to the U
Supreme Life Building
Built to house the first African-American insurance company, which was one of the few Black Metropolis businesses to survive the Great Depression
Bronzeville Visitor Information Center
The Bronzeville Visitor Information Center seeks to provide visitors with orientation and offers tours, exhibits, and a small gift shop
S.R. Crown Hall
A major architectural landmark, designed by none other than Mies van der Rohe
Ida B. Wells House
The home of Ida B Wells, prominent African-American civil rights activist and suffragette, founder of the Black Women's movement, and founding member of the NAACP, lived here from 1919–1929
South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC)
A community arts center open since 1940, which was for long the only place around where minority artists could exhibit there work
Chicago Bee Building
The home of the Chicago Bee Newspaper, which was founded by Anthony Overton to promote black businesses and issues