Monument to the Great Northern Migration: A Bronzeville Beacon

A tribute to the Great Migration, this monument in Chicago's Bronzeville honors the resilience and hope of African Americans seeking a better life.

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Monument To The Great Northern Migration

This monument commemorates the Great Migration, when African Americans left the South for Chicago in search of a better life. Located in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, the statue depicts a traveler heading north, symbolizing hope and resilience.

A brief summary to Monument To The Great Northern Migration

345 E Eastgate Pl, Chicago, Prairie Shores, Illinois, 60616, US
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Local tips

Visit during the day to fully appreciate the monument's details and symbolism.
Explore the surrounding Bronzeville neighborhood to learn more about Chicago's African American history and culture.
Take a moment to reflect on the significance of the Great Migration and its impact on American society.

Getting There

Public Transport

Several bus routes serve the area around the Monument to the Great Northern Migration. From downtown Chicago, take the #3 King Drive bus south. The bus stops along King Drive near Eastgate Place. Check the CTA website or app for real-time schedules and fare information. A single ride is $2.50.
Walking

From McCormick Place, head north on Martin Luther King Drive for approximately 1.5 miles. The monument will be on your left at Eastgate Place. The walk takes about 30 minutes.
Ride-sharing

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Chicago. A ride from downtown Chicago to the monument typically costs between $15 and $25, depending on traffic and demand.

Discover more about Monument To The Great Northern Migration

The Monument to the Great Northern Migration, created by Alison Saar and dedicated in 1996, stands as a tribute to the thousands of African Americans who migrated to Chicago from the Jim Crow South in the early 20th century. This striking bronze sculpture, located in the heart of Bronzeville, Chicago's historic African American cultural center, serves as a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of opportunity. The monument depicts a fifteen-foot tall African American traveler oriented towards the north, representing the direction of the Great Migration. The figure carries a worn suitcase, symbolizing the journey, dreams, and talents of those who made the courageous move. The traveler's clothes and the ground he stands on appear to be crafted from worn shoe soles, signifying the hardships endured during the journey from the South. The bollards surrounding the monument are shaped like suitcases, textured with patterns derived from the tin ceilings of the era, further connecting the artwork to the history of Bronzeville. Visiting the monument offers a chance to reflect on the impact of the Great Migration on Chicago and the nation. Bronzeville itself is a historically significant neighborhood, once known as the "Black Belt" in the 1920s, and home to a thriving business community fueled by the influx of migrants. The monument serves as a reminder of the challenges and triumphs of African Americans who sought a better future in the North, contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Chicago.

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Unity Hall

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Camp Douglas State Historic Site

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Chicago Defender Building

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Visit the historic Chicago Defender Building, a Bronzeville landmark that championed civil rights and fueled the Great Migration.

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Unmissable attractions to see

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Monument to the Great Northern Migration: A Bronzeville Beacon

A brief summary to Monument To The Great Northern Migration

Local tips

Getting There

Public Transport

Walking

Ride-sharing

Unlock the Best of Monument To The Great Northern Migration

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Monument To The Great Northern Migration

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Elbridge G Keith House

Second Presbyterian Church

Unity Hall

Camp Douglas State Historic Site

Chicago Defender Building

Victory Monument

Eighth Regiment Armory

Douglas Tomb State Historic Site

Ida B. Wells-Barnett House

St. Charles Air Line Bridge

The Museum Campus

Americas' Courtyard

Jewel-Osco

Shedd Aquarium

Pete Chicago Memorial Walkway

Unmissable attractions to see

McCormick Place

Chess Records

Clarke-Ford House

The Battle of Fort Dearborn Park

Glessner House

Chicago's Chinatown Gateway

Chinese American Museum of Chicago

Chinatown Square Plaza

Northerly Island Park

Soldier Field

S. R. Crown Hall (IIT College of Architecture)

Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

Field Museum

Essential places to dine

The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

Mercat a la Planxa

S.K.Y.

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub

The Berghoff Restaurant

Hot Woks Cool Sushi

The Gage

Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

The Village

Acanto

Cherry Circle Room

Double Clutch at Millennium Hall

Millennium Hall

Casa Bonita at Millenium Park

Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar at Millennium Hall

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Gifts R Us

The Sue Store

Roosevelt Collection Shops

Bye Bye Chicago

The Symphony Store

Feelings Gift Shop

My Chicago!

Chicago Athletic Association Gift Shop

Buddy

YoGoe

After School Matters Gift Shop

I Love Chicago

PRIMITIVE

Kyrgyzstan

Lively Gifts

Essential bars & hidden hideouts

Best Bar

Kasey's Tavern

Panchos Rooftop Cantina

2Twenty2 Tavern

The Game Room