Chicago 1919 Race Riot In Retrospect

Rock throwing white youths during the 1919 race riot

Early dawn today, I parked my car at the 63rd Street lakefront parking lot and rode my bike along the lakefront bike path to the Buckingham Fountain. As I approached the 29^th street lakefront, a strong sense of gratitude and appreciation to the spirits of Eugene Williams and others who in July and August of 1919 sacrificed their lives that I am now able to freely ride on these paths. The once racist and white imposed demilitarized line that separated Black and White Chicagoans at the 29^th street beach no longer exist.

Today the scene of the crime that led to the 1919 riot is clean, racially mixed, family friendly, and a very scenic place. Although not an airfield, Marine One occasionally lands at this location when Chicago's favorite son, President Obama is visiting his house in Hyde Park. There's a skate park, a huge playground with swings, and a concession stand. Jogging or biking from the beach to the Buckingham fountain on the bike path is a “must do” when in Chicago. One can walk, jog, swim, paddle, bike, roller-blade, sail, play volleyball, explore, or just relax along the lakefront. The beach has a lovely panoramic view of Chicago's skyline which is truly awe, inspiring and a magnificent sight to behold (considered by many as the most picturesque skyline in the world). It is easy to get to the beach front. From south or north, take Lake Shore Drive and exit 31^st street. When I55 South ends, it's the first exit. The parking is decent if you get there early and the crowd is well behaved. There are plenty of lifeguards which is nice and the place feels pretty safe too. It is a great idea to park and ride your bike also. Overall, the atmosphere is great, to take your kids and to get your beach fix.

How Did It Happened?

On July 27,1919, a Black or African-American youth named Eugene Williams and some of his friends went swimming in Lake Michigan near 29^th Street. According to reports, they strayed into the section of the lake reserved for whites. For this, while they were in the water, they were stoned by group of young white men and Williams drowned. When the police blatantly ignored and refused to acknowledge a crime or arrest those responsible for Williams death, outraged crowds of blacks gathered in protest. Misrepresented accounts of the incident inflamed already tense relations between black and white Chicagoans. For the next two weeks, white gangs, including the Hamburg Athletic Club and gangs from Bridgeport and the Stockyards district, clashed with mobs of outraged blacks in sporadic fights across the city's South Side. On the fourth day of rioting, the state militia was deployed to restore order, but the fighting continued. In the end, the violence claimed the lives of 38 Chicagoans: 23 Blacks and 15 Whites. In addition to 500 that were injured. Hundreds of families lost everything when their homes were torched by rioters.

The Instigators

In their effort to make the world a truly democratic place by ensuring full citizenship for people in other countries, Black soldiers returning home from World War I continued to serve in segregated units and live in separate quarter. Racial tension combined with lack of jobs and scarce housing created a heightened sense of distrust and low tolerance in race relations.

A post-riot investigation setup by then-mayor William Hale Thompson concluded that a youth gang, the Hamburg Athletic Club, was the instigator in the attacks on Black youths. During the time of the riot, 17 year-old, Richard J. Daley was an active member of the Hamburg Athletic Club. Richard J. Daley who later became mayor of Chicago, has never officially acknowledged being part of the race riot or his involvement in the stoning death of Williams. The current mayor of Chicago is Richard M. Daley, the son of Richard J. Daley.

Richard M. Daley was originally elected in 1989 and re-elected for the sixth time in 2007. The Daley family has ruled the city for the better part of a half-century. Two sets of father and son have been elected Mayor of Chicago – Carter Harrison, Sr. and Carter Harrison, Jr. as well as Richard J. Daley and Richard M. Daley.

Selected Newspaper Accounts

"Report Two Killed, Fifty Hurt, in Race Riots," Chicago Daily Tribune, 28 July 1919.
"Negro Fights Futilely Against Crowd in Loop," Chicago Daily Journal, 29 July 1919.
"Torch Rioters Give Firemen Continuous Job," Chicago Daily Tribune, 31 July 1919.
"Negroes Seek Safety Haven at Milwaukee," Chicago Daily Tribune, 31 July 1919.
"Riot Sweeps Chicago," Chicago Defender, 2 August 1919.
"Ghastly Deeds of Race Rioters Told," Chicago Defender, 2 August 1919.
"Negroes Didn't Set Fires, Say Their Aldermen," Chicago Daily Tribune, 3 August 1919.
"Seized as Riot Firebug," Chicago Daily Tribune, 4 August 1919.

Selected Newspaper Editorials

"Race Riots," Chicago Tribune editorial, 29 July 1919.
"Reaping the Whirlwind," Chicago Defender editorial, 2 August 1919.
"Seeking the Cause," Chicago Defender editorial, 9 August 1919.

"The Recommendations of the Commission" (an excerpt)

Internet Resources

Photograph: "Rescuing a Negro During the Race Riots in Chicago" [Newman Library Digital Collections, CUNY]
Photograph: "Chicago race riot, house with broken windows and debris in front yard," 1919 [Library of Congress]
Photograph: "Chicago race riot, five policemen and one soldier with rifle standing on street corner," 1919 [Library of Congress]
Photograph: "Chicago race riot, soldiers with rifles standing guard at vandalized house," 1919 [Library of Congress]
Photograph: "Chicago race riot, three African American men moving furniture while young Caucasian boys watch," 1919 [Library of Congress]
Photograph: "Chicago race riot, white men, boys and young girls standing in front vandalized house," 1919 [Library of Congress]
Photograph: "Chicago race riot, white men, boys standing in front of vandalized house," 1919 [Library of Congress]
Photograph: "Chicago race riot, African-American men standing in front of Walgreen Drugs, 35th and State," 1919 [Library of Congress]