Can you imagine a place where free speech reigned supreme? Right here in Chicago, Washington Square, affectionately nicknamed “Bughouse Square,” was once the nation’s most celebrated open-air free-speech center. Washington Square, also known as Washington Square Park, isn’t just a patch of green. It’s a historic landmark, registered on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991. Located across Walton Street from the Newberry Library at 901 North Clark Street, Washington Square is Chicago’s oldest small park.
Originally a cow path with a watering well, this three-acre plot was donated to the city in 1842 by the American Land Company. They stipulated it be named Washington Square, possibly inspired by the fashionable New York City neighborhood of the same name. The park quickly became surrounded by grand homes and churches. By the late 19th century, Washington Square boasted lush lawns, trees, diagonal walkways, limestone coping, a picket fence, and a beautiful Victorian fountain. Sadly, the fountain was removed and the park declined. But in 1906, Alderman McCormick dedicated his aldermanic salary to revitalizing Washington Square. He donated a new fountain, and the city added $10,000 for further improvements. Landscape architect Jens Jensen, part of the City’s Special Park Commission, even contributed to the park’s redesign.
By the 1910s, the neighborhood surrounding Washington Square had become more diverse, with many mansions converted into affordable housing. This led to the nickname “Bughouse Square,” derived from slang for mental health facilities. Like London’s Speakers’ Corner, Washington Square became a magnet for soapbox orators. Artists, writers, political radicals, and even hobos would gather here to share their thoughts, recite poetry, and debate. A dedicated group, “The Dill Pickle Club,” formed within this vibrant atmosphere, championing free expression. For years, the orators of Washington Square even elected their own honorary “king.” From the 1910s to the mid-1960s, Washington Square thrived as a public forum. In the 1920s and 30s, left-wing revolutionaries shared the stage with poets, religious figures, and those with unconventional ideas. The spirit of free speech at Washington Square continues today. Each July, the Bughouse Square Debates are held in conjunction with the Newberry Library’s annual book sale, recreating the lively atmosphere of the past. Although Alderman McCormick’s fountain was removed in the 1970s, a replica was installed in the late 1990s as part of a restoration project. Period lighting, fencing, and new plantings were also added, bringing Washington Square closer to its former glory. Today, as you stand in Washington Square, you stand in a space dedicated to free expression, a testament to Chicago’s rich history of public discourse.