| Dates: | 1914-1954 |
| Size: | 2.5 linear feet in 5 boxes, plus 1 oversize folder |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | spe.nwf |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition: | Transferred from Chicago Public Library's Legler Branch Library in the 1980s as part of a Dr. Scholl Foundation grant. |
| Conditions Governing Access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Conditions Governing Use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. |
| Preferred Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Northwest Federation of Improvement Clubs Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library. |
| Finding Aid Author: | Galen R. Wilson, April 1993. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Johanna Russ, 2021. |
Abstract
Records of citizens’ associations formed to bring about community improvements. Covers an area of the Northwest Side from North Avenue (1600 N) north to the city limits and from Western Avenue (2400 W) west to the city limits.
Biographical/Historical
The Northwest Federation of Improvement Clubs (NWF) served as an umbrella group for neighborhood organizations on Chicago's Northwest Side. It addressed issues from extending bus lines to fighting zoning violations.
The NWF was organized in 1914 as the "27th Ward Federation of Improvement Clubs" because the Northwest Side was so sparsely populated that it fit in one ward, the 27th. As the number of residents increased and the ward was split into several wards, the name was changed to the Northwest Federation of Improvement Clubs. Its boundaries extended from North Avenue (1600 N) north to the city limits and from Western Avenue (2400 W) west to the city limits.
Among the numerous committees of the NWF were American citizenship, arterial highways, Dunning Hospital, gas and electricity, home owners loan, horticulture, juvenile delinquency, legislative, parks and forest preserves, police and fire protection, public health, schools and playgrounds, streets and alleys, taxation, traffic and safety and transportation. The NWF closed in the late 1950s.
Scope and Contents
The collection is particularly rich in economic information about Chicago during the plentiful 1920s and the Depression which followed in the 1930s. See particularly the files on the Taxation Committee (3:5 to 3:16). Some information about Chicago’s participation in the war effort of the 1940s is found here. Administrative records include membership lists, arrangements for and minutes of meetings, and general correspondence. Committee files comprise the core of the collection. The vast majority of the NWF’S work was accomplished in committees. Topical files contain information about specific crusades undertaken by the NWF and miscellaneous material.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by file type (administrative, committee, topical) and alphabetically within each file type.
Subjects
- Northwest Federation of Improvement Clubs (Chicago, Ill.)
- Civic improvement — Illinois — Chicago — History
Related Materials
Separated Materials
The following materials have been removed from the collection since they were not produced by the Northwest Federation of Improvement Clubs. Most of them were originally collected by NWF in the NWFIC Transportation Committee files.
- Bernardi, Bill, business card (music business), undated. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Biography
- Belmont Garden Tavern, business card, [1941]. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Business
- Chicago Real Estate Board, Real Estate (v.16, n.15), 1941 April 12. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Business
- Chicago Title & Trust, “Some uses and purposes of land trusts,” 1939. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Business
- Portland Cement Association, flyers, 1933, undated. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Business
- Central Northwest Business Men’s Association, flyer, feeder bus lines, [1930s]. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Clubs & Organizations
- Illinois Tax Amendment Committee, “Apace with Progress: The Case for Tax Revision,” 1916. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Clubs & Organizations
- Board of Cook County Commissioners, “Problems of Governmental Simplification...,” 1929. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Municipal Agencies
- Joint Committee on Real Estate Evaluation, “Appraisal Standards for the Assessment...,” 1932. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Municipal Agencies
- “Real Estate Deflation in Chicago 1928-1933,” 1933. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Municipal Agencies
- Chicago Four-Year College Committee, flyer, [1940s?]. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Schools
- Federation of Women High School Teachers, “High School Education in Chicago,” 1934. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Schools
- Illinois Civic League, “The Chicago Public Schools,” flyer, [1930s]. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Schools
- Lake Shore Drive, proposed cross-section of Lake Shore Drive, 1936 Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Streets
- “Misc. data for the public hearing on traffic facilities…,” 1935. Moved to Chicago City-Wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Streets
- Levering, Benjamin, “The Subway,” pamphlet with map, [1900s?]. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- City Council Committee on Local Transportation, “Transportation Bulletin #1,” 1915 March. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “An Ordinance…Comprehensive Municipal Local Transportation System,” 1925 February 27. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “Outstanding Features…Local Transportation System,” 1925 February 27. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- Citizens’ Traction Settlement Committee, “Status of Chicago’s Traction Program,” 1929. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- Chicago Surface Lines, Service News (Street Car Edition), v.II, n.3, 1930 March 15. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “Draft of an Ordinance…Comprehensive Unified Local Transportation System,” 1930 April 22. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “An Ordinance…Comprehensive Unified Local Transportation System,” 1930 May 19. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “Transfers between Chicago Surface Lines and Chicago Rapid Transit,” map, 1935. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- Wardens, Edward, “Municipal Government and Transportation,” radio address, 1936 August. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “The Chicago Surface Lines Streamlines Local Transportation,” [1936?]. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “Proceedings of the Committee on Local Transportation…City Council,” 1937 January 19. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “Mayor Kelly’s Plan for a Comprehensive Transportation…,” 1937 January. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “A Comprehensive Local Transportation Plan for the City of Chicago,” 1937. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- Chicago Rapid Transit Company, “Do you want ‘L’ service extended?” [1930s?]. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “Preliminary Draft…ordinance…for a Comprehensive Unified Local Transportation System”; 1940 June 28. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “An Ordinance…Comprehensive Unified Local Transportation System…,” 1940 July 8. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- Chicago Rapid Transit Lines Transportation, map, 1941. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- “First inspection trip, Chicago subway,” 1943 April. Moved to Chicago City-wide Collection (Supplement 4) − Transportation (Urban Mass Transit)
- Old Portage Park District, general ordinances, 1931 October 19. Moved to Portage Park Community Collection 1:16 and 1:17
- Portage Park Sportsmen’s Club, Field Day & Patriotic Demonstration program, Memorial Day, 1920. Moved to Portage Park Community Collection 1:16 and 1:17
Collection Inventory
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Administrative - Anniversary meetings, 28th and 30th, 1942, 1944 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Administrative - Blank forms, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Administrative - Club data, 1915 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Administrative - Constitution, 1916 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Administrative - Dance, 1930 February 26 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Administrative - Delegates and membership, 1914-1919 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Administrative - Delegates and membership, 1920-1926 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Administrative - Delegates and membership, 1927-1928 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Administrative - Delegates and membership, 1929-1930 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Administrative - Delegates and membership, 1931-1933, 1936 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Administrative - Delegates and membership, 1939-1946 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Administrative - Delegates and membership, 1947-1949, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Administrative - Delegates and membership, card file (incomplete) |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Administrative – Finances, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Administrative - General correspondence and notes, 1914-1954 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Administrative - Home Talent Entertainments, 1933 January 27, 1933 February 3, 1933 March 10 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | Administrative - Installation dinner, 1940 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Administrative - Installation dinner dance, 1941 |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Administrative - Installation dinner dance, 1942 |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Administrative - Installation of officers, 1948 |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Administrative - Jackson, Edwin D., Northwest Federation of Improvement Clubs: A History, 1914-1947 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Administrative - Addenda #1 and Addenda #2, 1947-1954 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Administrative - Member lists, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | Administrative - Minutes, 1914-1915 |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Administrative - Minutes, 1919-1920 |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | Administrative - Minutes, 1929 |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Administrative - Minutes, 1938 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Administrative - Minutes, 1944 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Administrative - Minutes, 1951-1953 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Administrative - Minutes, 1954 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Administrative – Officers, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Committee - Committees list, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Committee - Athletic Committee, baseball league, bowling league, 1930 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Committee - Citizenship Committee, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Committee - Executive Committee, 1930-1938 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Committee - Executive Committee, 1943, 1946-1950 |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | Committee - Gas and Electricity Committee, 1916, 1920, 1929-1944 |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | Committee - Home Industries Committee − Made in America Club, 1931-1935 |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | Committee - Horticulture Committee, 1915 |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | Committee - Legislative Committee, correspondence, 1916, 1929-1947 |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | Committee - Legislative Committee, reports, 1933, 1939 |
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | Committee - Legislative Committee, resolutions, bills, miscellaneous, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | Committee - Parks and Forest Preserves Committee, 1916-1917, 1928-1946 |
| Box 2 | Folder 18 | Committee - Police and Fire Committee, 1916, 1928-1946 |
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Committee - Public Health Committee; 1929-1933, 1939-1942 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Committee - Schools and Playgrounds Committee, 1916, 1928-1945 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Committee - Streets and Alleys Committee, 1915-1934 |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | Committee - Streets and Alleys Committee, 1935-1945 |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | Committee - Taxation Committee, 1915-1916 |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | Committee - Taxation Committee, 1929-1930 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | Committee - Taxation Committee, 1931-1934 |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | Committee - Taxation Committee, 1937-1942 |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | Committee - Taxation Committee, 1945-1947 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | Committee - Taxation Committee, Association of Real Estate Taxpayers of Illinois, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | Committee - Taxation Committee, Automobile Tax Reduction League, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | Committee - Taxation Committee, Civic Federation and Bureau of Public Efficiency, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | Committee - Taxation Committee, miscellaneous, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | Committee - Taxation Committee, tax bills before Illinois legislature, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | Committee - Taxation Committee, Tax rate charts, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | Committee - Taxation Committee, “Tax Relief Program” (NWF brochure), undated |
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | Committee - Traffic and Safety Committee, 1915-1917, 1926-1934 |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | Committee - Traffic and Safety Committee, 1935-1936 |
| Box 4 | Folder 3 | Committee - Traffic and Safety Committee, 1937-1940 |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | Committee - Traffic and Safety Committee, 1941-1945 |
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | Committee - Transportation Committee, 1915-1919 |
| Box 4 | Folder 6 | Committee - Transportation Committee, 1928-1930 |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 | Committee - Transportation Committee, 1931-1934 |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 | Committee - Transportation Committee, 1935-1936 |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 | Committee - Transportation Committee, 1937-1939 |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 | Committee - Transportation Committee, 1940-1942 |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 | Committee - Transportation Committee, 1943-1945 |
| Box 4 | Folder 12 | Committee - Transportation Committee,1948-1949 |
| Box 4 | Folder 13 | Committee - Transportation Committee, Bryn Mawr Avenue, attempt to open between Pulaski Road and Elston Avenue, 1940-1945 |
| Box 5 | Folder 1 | Committee - Transportation Committee, feeder bus controversy (Illinois Commerce Commission), 1928-1930, 1935 |
| Box 5 | Folder 2 | Committee - Transportation Committee, Foster-Kimball bus service, 1934-1941 |
| Box 5 | Folder 3 | Topical - Armory, attempt to have one built on northwest side, 1934-1935 |
| Box 5 | Folder 4 | Topical - Avondale Civic Council, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 5 | Topical - Berteau Avenue Sewer, 1928-1929 |
| Box 5 | Folder 6 | Topical - Century of Progress Exposition,1933-1934 |
| Box 5 | Folder 7 | Topical - Chicago Association of Commerce, “Air Express” shipping, 1941 |
| Box 5 | Folder 8 | Topical - Chicago Recovery Administration, 1933-1934 |
| Box 5 | Folder 9 | Topical - Chicago State Hospital for the Insane (Dunning), 1924-1930 |
| Box 5 | Folder 10 | Topical - Citizens’ North Side (North of Lawrence Avenue) Transportation League, 1931 |
| Box 5 | Folder 11 | Topical - Civic organizations, list, undated |
| Oversize Folder 1 | Civic Review of Chicago’s Northwest Side (v.1, n.1), 1930 December | |
| Box 5 | Folder 12 | Topical - Community newspapers, list, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 13 | Topical - Dog shelter, 1928 |
| Box 5 | Folder 14 | Topical - Drama of Chicago on Parade, 1934 |
| Box 5 | Folder 15 | Topical - Equipment, Addressograph, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 16 | Topical - 40th Ward public improvements, 1943 |
| Box 5 | Folder 17 | Topical - Home Owners’ Loan Corporation, 1933-1934 |
| Box 5 | Folder 18 | Topical – Housing, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 19 | Topical - Juvenile delinquency, correspondence; 1943-1946 |
| Box 5 | Folder 20 | Topical - Kedzie Modernizing Club, Citizen’s Day Celebration, 1938 |
| Box 5 | Folder 21 | Topical - Lawndale-Crawford Community Council, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 22 | Topical - Let’s Go Chicago! Week, 1933 |
| Box 5 | Folder 23 | Topical - News clippings, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 24 | Topical - Northwest Civic Convention, 1930 |
| Box 5 | Folder 25 | Topical - Resurrection Hospital (7432 W. Talcott Road), 1948 |
| Box 5 | Folder 26 | Topical - Sauganash Memorial, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 27 | Topical - Unemployment and charity, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 28 | Topical - Victory gardens, undated |
