washington chicago known washington square park park chicago illinois registered historic landmark better known nickname square derived slang referring mental health facilities celebrated open air free speech center country popular chicago tourist attraction located street near north community area chicago illinois usa chicago oldest existing small park chicago park district parks named persons washington added national_register_of_historic_places origin september city received acre parcel donated members use public park property cow path farmers water cattle donors stipulated washington square 1890s city improved lawn trees diagonal walks limestone picket fencing attractive victorian fountain time president fountain razed park deteriorated devoted salary improving park donated fountain city allocated additional park 1910s neighborhood surrounding diverse history original purpose neighborhood park place assembly discuss community issues chicago long history public speeches entertainment educational purposes riot started workers rally march lecture inspired club provide publish plan geographic center chicago public speeches 1890s park acquired square moniker topics ranging gender relations communism served home warm weather evenings 1910s mid-1960s like speakers corner london park popular spot soap box artists writers political recited poetry group regulars formed club devoted free expression years appointed honorary king 1920s 1930s revolutionary left occasionally joined poets city transferred washington square life featured article saying meeting place years later played host chicago gay pride march washington square historic district washington square historic district historic district chicago illinois includes washington square park chicago district listed national_register_of_historic_places august washington square district declared chicago landmark original washington square park district chicago landmark designation included park west street chicago landmark district extension july included extension added located west delaware place national_register_of_historic_places included washington square today july continues oversee annual square debates free speech gathering conjunction annual book sale debates annual festival recreate atmosphere speeches debates soap box flourished park fountain removed 1970s late 1990s park district city neighborhood organizations agreed restoration plan improvements include reconstructed historic fountain period lighting fencing new west park memorial tablet designating park chicago premier free speech forum club known indoor square forum known
Washington Square Park (Chicago)