From roughly the 1880s into the 1930s people came to the park and stood on soapboxes or crates and spouted their passions, theories, lunacies and philosophies to anyone who would listen. Some were famous and smart (Carl Sandburg, Emma Goldman, Eugene V. Debs). Many others were anonymous anarchists, dreamers, poets and preachers. Some of them were, frankly, nuts.
Chicago Tribune, “Now from the Newberry Library: Old books at the fair, new ideas at the Bughouse”
