Victory Sculpture
Why it's listed
Rising from the median of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive at 35th Street in Chicago, this granite pylon on a concrete base honors the Eighth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard, known as the "Fighting Eighth," which served in France under the 370th U.S. Infantry. After World War I, the Black community petitioned for a monument and met resistance from the South Park Commission, which relented after the Chicago Defender urged a "vote no" campaign. The state and the commission jointly funded the work, and it replaced a fountain in the boulevard. French-born sculptor Leonard Crunelle created the bronze panels, showing a soldier, a mother figure and Columbia, while architect John A. Nyden collaborated on the base. It was dedicated on Armistice Day, 1927. A uniformed doughboy figure by Crunelle was added in 1936. The regiment was the first entirely commanded by Black officers, and the monument is considered the second in the nation honoring Black war heroes. Survivors of the regiment gathered here each Memorial Day.
Significance in brief: The monument honors the valor of the Eighth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard, the first regiment entirely commanded by Black officers, in World War I. The form calls it the second monument in the United States honoring Black war heroes. It is described as one of the most famous landmarks of Chicago's Black community and hosts an annual Memorial Day ceremony.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86001089, listed April 30, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Thirty-fifth St. at King Dr., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | April 30, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001089 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Architect / builder | Leonard Crunelle, sculptor; John A. Nyden, architect |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Black, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Site of an annual Memorial Day ceremony; the 1936 doughboy figure was added to the original composition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.83109, -87.61747 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86001089.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q616194
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.