Tour the 1908 Race Riot Markers

NEW - The city of Springfield has placed new wrappers around the pillar markers located around downtown. Click here for photos.

Throughout downtown and near downtown Springfield are eight markers showing the events of the 1908 Race Riot.

The following appears on every marker at the top:

City of Springfield

Historical Events Memorial Committee

1908 Race Riot Walking Tour

Ossie Langfelder, Mayor

Velma Carey, Chairperson

The following appears on every marker at the bottom:

The Race Riot of 1908 was the catalyst that led to the formation of the National Association

for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

The 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour starts at Union Square Park, Fifth and Jefferson.

Please use the links below to view the markers and read the text:

Marker 1 + Marker 2 + Marker 3 + Marker 4

Marker 5 + Marker 6 + Marker 7 + Marker 8

Download a pdf with the text that is on all the Markers.