Ella LaBagh: Advocating for Natural Areas and Public Spaces

Ella LaBagh (1856-1945) was a member of the Irving Park Woman’s Club and an advocate for the preservation of natural space and creation of parks on the Northwest side of Chicago in the early 20th century. While most Chicagoans likely have not heard of LaBagh, some may be familiar with LaBagh Woods, which was named for her and is one of just a few Cook County Forest Preserves locations within Chicago’s city limits. The Northside Neighborhood History Collection recently acquired a scrapbook dating from 1897-1918 that documents LaBagh’s work with the Irving Park Woman’s Club. In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s take a closer look at Ella LaBagh, the Irving Park Woman’s Club, and their role in advocating for public space and nature on Chicago’s Northwest side.

Improving Public Space

In the late 19th and early 20th century, women’s clubs played an active and influential role in many Chicago communities. As chair of the Irving Park Woman’s Club’s Public Improvement Committee, Ella LaBagh’s focus was on improving and maintaining public space. This included, but was not limited to, advocating for parks and natural spaces. The committee encouraged local people to keep their alleys clear of rubbish by burning waste paper and other trash; suggested that residents work with their neighbors to maintain vacant lots; advocated for the city to repair sidewalks and remove snow from them; worked to secure a “sprinkling cart” that would sprinkle streets with water to help mitigate dusty conditions; petitioned city officials to devote time and funds to local parks; and advocated against cutting down trees and developing natural spaces.

Some of the group's ideas about improving the local environment, such as snow removal from sidewalks, may sound similar to proposals we hear today. Others are less familiar. LaBagh’s own identity and the social and political context of her time shaped her ideas about what was considered a desirable natural space, and what role these spaces should play in the city. As an upper class white woman, she was likely influenced by Progressive Era ideas that emphasized how residents benefited from carefully maintained natural areas in urban areas.

River Parks and Boulevards

To ensure that city residents had access to nearby natural spaces, the Public Improvement Committee proposed the creation of a system of boulevards and natural areas on Chicago’s North and West sides. The system would start near the North Branch of the Chicago River at Diversey and head north. On the West Side, it would follow the Des Plaines River south from Des Plaines all the way to the village of Riverside. LaBagh frequently recounted that she was inspired to begin this work when she noticed trees being cut down as she biked along the North Branch of the Chicago River. She began to take photographs of the area and shared the lantern slides at public meetings, which sometimes drew as many as 500 people. The Public Improvement Committee also advocated for the creation of natural areas by writing to local officials, sending mailings to residents, collaborating with other local organizations, and visiting homes of local residents.

Forest Preserves Established

The Forest Preserves of Cook County was established in 1914 by a vote from Cook County voters, but other influential voices were also advocating for this step, and the work of Ella LaBagh and the Woman’s Club is not mentioned in the brief history available on the Forest Preserve’s website. Further research is needed to determine if their contributions were overlooked or if they were just one of many voices advocating for similar concepts. Either way, their scrapbook is a fascinating way to explore ideas about nature, preservation, and public space in Chicago over one hundred years ago.

To make a research appointment to look at the scrapbook or other items from the Irving Park Woman’s Club Records, contact the Northside Neighborhood History Collection at northsidehistory@chipublib.org or 312-742-4455.