Aberdeen's Parkland Heritage 1881-1931

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Aldrich Band Shell Awaiting The Concert Season

ABERDEEN'S PARKLAND HERITAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Preface: Parkland Heritage and Preservation 1 - 7 Change and Continuity in Aberdeen Parks Aberdeen Parks: sanctuaries & Social centers I. "Let's Have a Park!" 8 - 9 II. Block 7--Aldrich Park 9 - 15 County Seat Site Community Beauty Spot Aldrich: Where the Band Plays III. Melgaard: "A Park Ready Hade" 16 - 30 Accessing Melgaard Park: Roads and Driveways Melgaard Tourist camp: Free camp Era 1919-25 The Pay Era: 1925-1931 The Evolving Park: Change and Expansion Buildings The Active Life: Melgaard as Playground Grounds and Landscaping Picnic at the Park Rural DelOOnstration SChool: Playday Picnics By the campfire's Glow: Melgaard by Moonlight Concerts at the Park: Portable Bandstand Era: 1919-1930 Sound of Music: 1930-1931: A Permanent Bandstand Heritage of Shade and Space: Melgaard MelOOrial 1931 IV. Wylie Park 31 - 48 "Now is the Time!" Acquisition &Expansion "Aberdeen's Playground": The Pavilion 1911-1919 The New Pavilion: 1919-1931: "Where Aberdeen Dances" Lake Minne-eho: Origins: Lake Bed and Beach Access Roads Lakes: Blessing or Menace? The Big Splash: Boating & Swimming Contests Yo! Ho! For Minne-eho! servicing Swinmers Lake and Ice House Wylie Golf Course Play Ball! The Minne-eho ball park Wylie Zoo: Bird & Animal sanctuary Wylie as Picnic Park Normalites: Riding the Rattler & Hitting the Bread Line Morning Picnics: Breakfast at the Park N.N.I.S. Afternoon Frolics Field Days at Wylie Church Picnics & Camp Meetings "Not a Dull Moment!" Fraternal Frolics Children's Reward Laborer's Reward: Escape to Wylie Wylie: A Quest for Space and Shade V. Recognitions Back Cover A SALUTE TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Historic preservation works for all of us. It develops pride in place and sense of communi ty, promotes economc development through tourism and a more eye appealing landscape and structures. Aberdeen and Brown County towns and rural areas have a varied and significant architectural, artistic and historical heritage which includes landscape as well as people and buildings. Some of the heri tage has vanished due to fire, demo1i tion and neglect. Other features have survived through careful maintenance, improvements and resourceful alternative uses of older structures such as Aberdeen's Christian Science Church and the Great Northern Depot renovated for law offices and the Capi to1 Theatre renovated as a communi ty arts center. This partnership wi th communi ty minded citizens and businesses is a positive factor in bettering our quality of life. Aberdeen has three historic districts and throughout the city and county many individual homes and farms are on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of these may be found in the Aberdeen/ Brown County Landmark Commission's booklet Exploring Brown County published in 1994.

The Aberdeen/ Brown County Landmarks Commission was officially created May 11, 1978 as a subsidiary of the Brown County Historical Society wi th the purpose to promote a comprehensi ve program of historic preservaion in Brown County and Aberdeen. This historic preservation purpose was continued and strengthened in 1985 when the Landmarks Commission joined the new Certified Local Government Program (C. L. G.). The Brown county and Aberdeen Commissioners adopted South Dakota Certified Law 1-19B again as they did in 1978.

As a C. L. G entity the Landmarks Commission functions to promote adaptive use of endangered structures and conservation of historic properties--business and residential, urban and rural. Through an educational and inspirational program the Commission aims to increase public awareness of our architectural and historical heritage. One objective is to help people apply for official recognition of their structures on the National Register of Historic Places with the hope that the visible remnants of our county's heritage will be cared for and preserved by present and future generations. Persons interested in corresponding with the Landmarks Commission as to concerns or volunteering their services on the commission please correspond to Box 1420, Aberdeen, SD.57402­ 1420. The Commission meets every third Thursday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room at the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department or in the municipal building conference room once renovation is completed. Time and place of meetings may be found in the Aberdeen American News Bulletin Board. PREFACE: ABERDEEN'S PARKLAND HERITAGE PARKLAND PRESERVATIOIf

In the first decade of the 20th century tree claims of the 1880s served as the foundation of Aberdeen's two outlying parks--Melgaard, south of the city, and Wylie, north of the city. Within the city limits two acres of bare prairie land provided the site for Aberdeen's first major park--Aldrich. After 1904 the human touch transformed that site into a tree shaded sanctuary.

OUr park heritage has grown over the years. This booklet examines the foundation years of three parks which serve as symbols of our park heritage and the relationships of parks to the wider community. The purpose of this account is to increase public awareness and appreciation of their city parks and the important role park boards and personnel have played in the creation, maintenance and improvement of these parks. Hopefully, it will stimulate a desire to preserve the integrity of park boundaries, design and natural beauty. In the 1980s the emergence of a long term master plan which blends and preserves the old and the new is a positive step in Aberdeen park history and develoPment.

The Aberdeen/Brown COunty Landmarks COmmission especially dedicates this booklet to Sophus A. Anderson who in 1915 at the age of 23 became an Aberdonian and a city employee who served as SUperintendent of Parks until his death in 1945. currently the Anderson Recreation center built in 1945 and so named in his honor during the 1950s, reminds us of past efforts. However, as time passes and new generations appear it is so easy to forget those who passed on the important heritage of our parks. We hope the following account will strengthen that memory.

CHANGE AND CONTIIflJITY IM ABERDEEN PARKS

The integrity of Aberdeen's parkland--boundaries, landscape and structures--has been somewhat compromised in past decades and conceivably could be in the future. Factors in damaging parkland integrity have been: economic develOPment of the neighborhood in the form of COIIITIercial, school or residential expansion, vandalism, nature's fury in the form of tornadic winds, flooding drought, erosion and insects. Demolition in the name of modern­ ization and quest for parking spaces have posed threats as have government wetland regulations and funding shortages related to city politics and budget priorities. However, positive changes in park design and land expansion have brought new vigor and imagery to some Aberdeen parkland.

The boulevards and residential areas of Aberdeen have benefited from the City Beautiful Movement of these foundation years when Melgaard and Wylie park nursery stock was distributed throughout the conrnunity. The playground movement of the 1920s is still reflected in all parks. Changes in transportation teclmology have impacted park attendance. Parks have attracted Aberdeen area PeOple and tourists through their varied attractions. They have served as sites for patriotic and civic cornemorations, musical concerts, craft and artistic displays and ice cream socials. They provide a setting for passive, large group and family picnicking, lounging and conmunion with nature. They also served as places to engage in active games and sports.

1 City residential expansion has brought Melgaard and Wylie parks closer to the city whereas at one time they were the "outlying" Parks as contrasted to the close-in-Parks such as Aldrich Park. Melgaard had been characterized as the Park "south of the city" when in 1913 houses had reached the corner of 12th Ave. and south Lincoln and on south Kline St. houses intersected with 11th Ave. The Normal SChool grounds on south Jay St.extended southward beyond its intersection with 12th Ave. Lee Avenue east from Washington to State Street, known as-15th Ave. after 1942, had several homes in the 300 block, otherwise lacked residences. Land south of 12th Ave. between present State Street and Moccasin Creek was vacant. Wylie Park was not annexed to the city until the mid 1980s and from its beginnings was referred to as the park "north of the city". In 1995 as one views the three Parks listed in the 1913 Polk City Directory-­ Aldrich, Melgaard and Wylie--a few continuities remain from those foundation years before 1931. However, many changes are evident.

ALDRICH PARK - 1914 CIRCLE PATH

The boundaries of Aldrich Park remain the same except they are open sided and no longer fenced or hedged. Its gates were opened to the public in 1912. The Aldrich bandstand of 1914 still stands but the park no longer echoes with concert music as Melgaard Park is now the sole concert Park. The Aldrich fountain has vanished although a cement base remains. One walkway runs from the Southwest corner at 3rd Ave. and Main to the northwest corner at 4th Ave. and Lincoln. The circular center pathways of 1914 are no longer visible. A sand floored playground marks a portion of the Park's southern edge along with two slides and swings for small children. Four bench-picnic table combinations are found amongst the over 75 trees scattered throughout the park. In the 1990s Aldrich comes alive at parades and marches, patriotic meetings and commemorative celebrations fulfilling a traditional function of its foundation years. However, except for these special occasions, to the casual observer the park stands somewhat forlorn utilized on a daily 'basis by small children and neighbors who seek shady space on its well maintained grass turf.

2 ALDRICH PARK - 1995 SINGLE SIDEWALK

MELGAARD PARK

The boundaries of Melgaard's southern four blocks remain intact I but there are fewer internal roads within the park. The central semicircle remains as a key design factor. However I in the 1950's Melgaard's northern four block area between 17th and 15th Avenues used for active recreation such as baseball was separated from its southern section. That land went to the state for what was then called a SChool for the Blind. Industrialists K. o. Lee challenged that decision to reduce what he called "the only recreation spot in the entire town." He posed the question: "Why ruin the only park we got that is worth anything?"

HImGB - lfOR'l'H BND OF MELGAARD PARK

3 Currently its northern border features a hedge which screens picnic shelters and bandshell from 17th Ave. traffic. Melgaard retains and has updated its tourist camp at the southeast border with 14 camping pads and a brick structure with combined garage and shower/toilet facilities. In the 1990s the Park also retains its tennis court area of the 1920s. The bandshell of 1930 serves as a site for municipal band concerts continuing Melgaard I s foundation role as a concert park.

CAMP GROUND 1995

Melgaard continues its function as a prime picnic Park although Wylie Park has become an important competitor because of its size and ability to handle larger picnic groups as well as the variety of amusements offered. However, Melgaard Park no longer possesses its nurseries or superintendent's house established in the foundation years. The wading pool has also vanished due to health reasons; in its place stands a circular sand play area with slide. The screened picnic she1ter near the southern edge has vanished to be replaced by varied open picnic shelters throughout the park. The concession stand along the central curve no longer provides treats for tourists and picnickers. In a secluded nook west of the tourist bath house lies remanants of a bygone era--a stone bench and cement base for a vanished fountain, probably of 1928 vintage.

FORMER WADING POOL- - HOW PLAY AREA

4 BENaI AND FOUNTAIN OF 1928

Melgaard's trees are more widely dispersed than the closer spaced, jungle-like appearance of an earlier era. Since the 1950s, neighborhood residential areas have occupied its eastern and western borders which has increased the ParkIS daily use as playground and picnic area. Melgaard Park's proximity to eXPanding state educational institutions has continued its role of the foundation years as a retreat for students and faculty. Melgaard Park of the 1990s has increased attendance due to special attractions such as privately sponsored Arts in the Park, Chautauquas, ice cream socials and varied Park, Recreation and Forestry Department activities. WYLIE PARK SIEfi TODAY

Wylie Park has experienced the most change although Wylie's Lake Minne-eho and the dance pavilion remain from the foundation years. Park boundaries have expanded from 160 acres to encompass well over 200 acres--the result of Park department master planning and private, as well as city, initiative and funding. Within that space a variety of services exploaded in recent years. Entry ways to the Park have improved with more attractive and readable signage at the Lake Drive and at the northeastern entry from highway 281.

5 OOY FISHING ON LAKE MINNE-EII>

The lake area's south shore is rip rapped, shorn of weeds and features a wide bike and walking path which make it look roore attractive than in the fO\mdation period when the south shore road was in its infancy. Wylie lake no longer has its island or diving platform but is still a focal point of a circular roadway. Bathing beach, swirrming, fishing and J:x>ating remain as key features of lakeside life. Paddle J:x>ats are new to the J:x>at types of old. Today's 330 foot water slide offers some competition as it offers a rore thrilling way to get wet. The lakeside water slide of the foundation years was P\mY corrpared to today's giant slide.

WYLIE PARK PAVILION BIRD CAGE PICKle SHELTER ..,~~t

6 The pavilion survived an effort to delOOlish it in the late 1970s and make the site a parking lot--a notable victory for historic preservation. Private and city funds renovated it for IOOre effective usage after a period of neglect. Public dancing featured at the Pavilion is no longer the attraction it was during the fO\mdation years and beyond to 1950s. Square dancing in the pavilion is occasionaly featured today as well as picnic dinners and other festivities. The picnic function appears to be confined IOOre to the northwest corner with its several picnic shelters and to the south in the old park area with its picnic tables and benches, Bird cage and Pavillion. The theme park area of story Book Land and Oz have received priority in the new master plan. A few picnic tables may be found in Storybook Land but picnicking does not seem to be a major function of that area.

The fish pond, footbridge and zoo of the older park area disappeared from their previous location. Recently, the zoo idea revived and IOOre space was allotted along the northern edge for animals in a natural habitat. Story Book Land with its castle and varied attractions will soon be expanded with a land of Oz theme. Recent mini golf reminds one of the nine hole golf course of an earlier era on the north end of the park. Go carts smack of a new era in appealing to the thrill-and- excitement quest of today's youth. A recently acquired carousel reminds one of a Past era when a merry-go-round was an ~rtant attraction at Wylie Park. The birdcage enclosed picnic shelter of 1945 remains as a symbol of an even earlier birdcage. Wylie's tourist facilities on the park's western edge today constitute an improvement over the foundation years when Melgaard received funding and publicity for this service. Change and continuity are blended in Aberdeen's largest park still an "outlyng" park north of the central city but increasingly surrounded by expanding residential development and now within the city boundaries.

MERRY - 00 - ROUND STORY BOOK LAND CASTLE

7 ABKRDEBN PARKS: SANC'l'UARIES & SOCIAL CENTERS

In May, 1995 the Aberdeen Park & immediately a block or two in a Forestry Department publicists central location before land prices focused on the theme "Flm in the Slm" rose and then plant trees. Under the at eleven city parks: Aldrich, headline "That Park" another citizen Anderson, Brown, Frontier, Lincoln, advocated that the vacant block Manor, Melgaard, Nicollet, Prairie between 4th & 5th avenues and between Veterans Menorial, Slmshine and 1st and 3nd streets be purchased Wylie. This booklet features three of immediately for a centrally located these parks in their fotmdation years city park before land prices when the publicity theme would nore skyrocketed. With the city's anp1e appropriately be "Flm in the Shade". water supply it would be possible to have park fOlmtains, trees and a "LET'S HAVE A PARK!" miniature lake--an incentive for In Aberdeen's first half century securing an even larger park further images of inchvidual trees and groves away from city center. strongly embedded themselves in the The reality of parks finally began minds of prairie PeOple. In the quest to take shape. On August 8, 1904 for greenness, coolness and shade mayor Alva Aldrich addressed the city Aberdonians gradually constructed colmcil on the need for a public city urban parks and pleasure spots to park, which he described as a spot augment the few natural beauty spots for tree planting, "where the PeOple in the colmtryside. They sought in their rooments of relaxation can conmunion with nature in such manmade enjoy the pleasures that can only be parks where they might achieve a obtained where treelessness is not relaxing solitude with self, friends apparent, where shade abounds." or family. They 'might also socialize Ideological support of parks with rural neighbors &city dwellers. increased. By 1913 the Daily News Over the years varied age and headline of August 27 recognized occupational groups gradually had the "Parks Essential to Growth of option of visiting their neighborhood Aberdeen". As trade territory or city parks in order to escape from expanded so too must Aberdeen's confined hot interiors and from the pleasure resorts. The city park board routine of their everyday lives. requested $15,000 to maintain the Recognizing the i.ntx>rtance of orderly city park system with emerging park development the state "beauty spots" that would be the envy legislature in 1909 authorized park of Fargo and Grand Forks. The boards for the state's larger cities. editoral page asserted "No lJIrto-date Mayor Alva Aldrich appointed city can get along without an Aberdeen's first park board in 1909. adequate park system....The parks are In pioneer days of the 1880s and a city's breathing spots. They are as 1890s Aberdeen was a city of open essential as paved streets, street places with few trees and no parks to railways & other lOOdern inl>rovements~ link and lessen the impact of open By year I send. 1914 the Daily News spaces. As early as 1886 concerned headlines credited Aberdeen with 263 citizens urged parkland for Aberdeen. acres of parks worth over $50,000. One writer under the headine "Let's Park sizes were listed at 25 acres Have a Park" stated that due to five for Melgaard, 2.06 acres for Aldrich years of inaction and preoccupation while Wylie Park emerged as the with other priorities Aberdeen lacked largest with 160 acres and Wylie Park park trees. He recommended buying lake &drives as 22.08 acres.

8 SUperintendent of Aberdeen parks, 7 of North Aberdeen across the S. H. Anderson, except for a brief railroad tracks, rather than located wartime absence in 1918, oversaw park in the city center as urged by the operations in cooperation with the citizens of 1886. It was bolmded on park board during the years 1915 the west by north Main, by Lincoln on through 1931 (and beyond to his death the east, Elm Ave. (4th Ave.) on the in 1946). His reports along with park North and Oak Ave. (3rd) on the south. board minutes reflect the concerns City Engineer Washburn in 1905 and actions to :iIrprove city parks and outlined to the SOCial SCience Club create an environment for varied at Northern Normal and Industrial recreational opportuni.ties, healthy SChool a potential park system and physical activity and strengthening landscape gardening for Aberdeen. one of civic pride. His philosophy for of the four locations described was places "where youth may play and age the Northside Park, site of the may rest" was expressed in his report vacated court house, and the nK>st of December 31, 1922: "We, as park centrally located of the four parks. officials like our parks. We like to His plat of Block 7 revealed live near them. We like to see them. "diagonal gravel walks bordered by We like to walk in them; and we like trees with circular flower beds at to have our children play in them. the center, a band pavillion on the They have become as much a part of south side" for weekly concerts. city conditions as paved streets, The Aldrich Park block had an houses or large buildings. A city interesting history. On that site in without parks is in the same class as 1887 the city built a city hall, to a city without water supply or be used as a CO\.U1ty courthouse. This sewers." Parks must be popularized as served as an inducement to secure the "meeting places of friends, catering county seat for Aberdeen in to the social gatherings and to the ~tition with Columbia. When in children" . "To better serve the 1890 an election had definitely people", to bring joy to the visitor, decided that Aberdeen would be the to stimulate a love for nature, to county seat, Mayor Moody deeded the build Il'UScle and brain were the city hall building located in Block 7 functions of parkland and park to the board of county conmissioners boards. "Recreation is the right of for use as a CO\.U1ty court house. A every man, woman and child." contract clause stipulated that Acting on such asS\JIIPtions and should the building no longer serve despite funding difficulities, park this purpose it should revert to city boards and superintendents made ownership. crucial decisions during the By 1903 a new county court house foundation years 1904-1931. Three arose south of the tracks, a block parks--Aldrich, Melgaard and Wylie-­ off the Main Street business symbolize the expansion of parkland district. This left disposition of and the significance of parkland to the old court house and its site the wider COIJIfUDity which in 1931 Block 7 to the city and to certain celebrated its 50th birthday. individuals, who controlled 7 lots fronting Main Street as a result of BLOCK 7-ALDRIai PARK Block 7 no longer being the court COUNTY SEAT SITE house site. The Krueger Brothers In 1904 Aberdeen secured its first bought the building in the winter of major parkland which eventually 1904-05 and dismantled it in the became known as Aldrich Park, the old sunrner of 1905. This left that square court house square, located in block block vacant for park purposes.

9 caHJHITY BEAUTY SPOT May and September 1905 the city Aldrich Park became one of the council ordered Park work which "breathing spots" which Mayor Aldrich dragged on into 1906. More described as a place "where people iImlediately they recommended plowing can go for a quiet hour or two away and fencing preParatory to planting from the noise and rush and heat of trees at the old court house square town" . This idea of Parks as the following year. sanctuaries even in the evening is On Monday morning April 23. 1906 substantiated by the reaction of work began on Aldrich Park. The workers in 1921 chased from Aldrich ground had been plowed in the Fall of Park by the police after the city 1905. Now a team pulverized the soil declared a closing hour of 10:00 so that grass seed might be sown and p.m. for city parks. The Daily News trees and shrubs planted. City pointed out that the action aimed at engineer Washburn designed the park late night lovers & mischief makers plan which provided for four walks negatively impacted working men who running diagonally across from the relished fresh night air and who four corners intersecting in the wished to escape their hot boarding center. At the intersecting center an rooms. With no front porch for artesian well serviced a proposed relaxation they sought the benches of large fountain surrounded by flower Aldrich Park and requested Park hours beds which in turn would be circled be extended to at least 12 midnight. by a walkway. The plan envisioned a The News asserted: "The Park is band stand eventually on the park's presumed to be a place in which to south side. Shrubs were to be bunched rest and nobody can rest with a along the walks. Trees were to line policeman shunting him around from sides of the Park. Ordered for that pillar to post". purpose were 137 elms, 93 golden willows, and 94 Carolina poplars. PICNICKING AT ALDRICH PARK 1918 Community pride in this "beauty spot" is revealed in the Daily American editorial of July 12, 1911: "Wayfarers out Main street north cannot help but be glad these hot and saltry days of the bright green oasis that exists in Aldrich Park. For fresh greenness and a general air of crisp newness, this little Park is about the daintiest thing of its kind that can be found. There is no one but who hopes for the day to specially come when humans may enjoy Parks also became crowded pleasure its coolness as well as the city's resorts where people congregated to deer. As a breathing spot it is hear concert music, to picnic and destined to be welcome whenever it socialize with neighbors and friends. can be deemed of use and as a sight Aldrich Park, Block 7, the old court to tired hot eyes it is now house square, also served this need. refreshing." Fenced in until 1912 in In August 1904 Mayor Aldrich order to permit proper tree and lawn recommended to the city council growth without danger of public beautification of the city by trampling, Aldrich's gates were "planting ornamental parks and opened to the public in 1912 and its breathing places for the people". In deer transferred to Wylie Park.

10 ALDRIOI: WHERE '1'HB BAND PLAYS outside the support posts hung forty Aldrich Park became a concert site colored glass lights in alternate as early as 1912.Audiences such as red, white and blue clusters. Black that which attended the afternoon iron ornamental lights with eight concert of Hay 24, 1914 numbered in inch round globes thrust out from the hundreds. Considered an each of eight support posts. While innovation at the time the band the lights i.ni>ressed the night time members arose when they played the crowds, during the day the gold ball concluding "Star Spangled Banner. atop the flagpole reflected the sun While playing, each band member and dazzled Park strollers and doffed his cap as did some of the afternoon concert audiences. audience. Many previously seated listeners stood during this nt..unber. ALDR!OI PARK BAND STAND Concert etiquette gradually develoPed over the years. As early as Thursday evening July 25, 1912 the Park board had reconJllended to the city corrmission a band stand for Aldrich Park and installation of more electric lights and appropriate wiring. It was not until 1914 that the band stand was finally constructed. Hopefully the new stand would enable audiences to hear at greater distances from the band. On July 23, 1914 the Park board ordered more seats for city Parks, eSPecially Aldrich Park where large crowds congregated for SPecial After two months of construction, events. the new band stand, located centrally Architect George Fossum designed on the Park's north side, rather than the bandstand plans which called for on the Park I s south side as in a wide and inpressive entrance facing previous designs, was dedicated on Hain Street and anple electric september 11, 1914: Band director Dr. lights. Octagonal in shape, the stand Putnam wrote the "Aldrich Park march" was 22 feet in diameter. Eight brick for the occasion and dedicated it to piers reached five feet from the the Aberdeen Park board. Contractor ground to give support to roof Jolm Romans and builder J. F. Ballist supporting cement pillars. With a along with architect Fosstun could be five foot foundation wall of stucco proud of their work. The stand cost and cement covering a steel lath $581.25 and the wiring and fixtures frame, the stand gave the i.ni>ression $101. 50. The 20 piece Aberdeen band of solidity. Above the floor an began the dedication concert at 7: 45 ornamental railing ringed the stand p.m. with R. M. Bisbee's march except for the spacious stepped "Salute to Aberdeen". entrance. The ceiling loomed eight A Daily Amercan editorial of feet above the floor which itself was september 12, 1914 on "The New Band 5 1/2 feet above ground level. Stand" mixed praise for the Park Thirty-two frosted lights rested board with admonitions to properly on the 16 steel ribs which formed the care for the "beautiful structure" cement, cream-colored ceiling. At ten which so advanced COIIIIlW'lity culture: foot intervals under the roof edge "It is ~h a pity that beautiful and

11 convenient things cannot be free from times for Aldrich Park concerts with the raids of vandals-boys or men, an occasional exception. and sometimes only thoughtless Aberdonians heard a variety of children. Now lets' be careful of melodies over those years: regimental this. Just because it is new and marches, polkas, waltzes such as The belongs to all of us as a city. Why Wedding of the Winds", Scottish bedaub its paint with mud, why steal melodies, ballet, operatic music, its electric lamps, why carve popular songs, Billy Sunday's Gospel initials in its railing? It is a new hymns, wartime tunes such as "My toy. Don't pull it to pieces." Soldier Boy" and "Uncle Sam", multi Concern over damage to Park Part suites such as "Atlantis: The landscape and structures persisted Lost COntinent", "A Day in Venice" throughout the years. For example, in and "The Death of CUSter I with its mid June 1930 the Evening News bugle calls.,comic operas of Victor editorialized on mutilating of Park Herbert, vocal solos and instrumental trees, particularly at Aldrich Park. solos, fife and drum effects in "The Major city parks were "set aPart as Girl I Left Behind Me", gypsy music beauty spots not sPecifically as of the second Hungarian Rhapsody, children's playgrounds". Notching and melodies of the old south such as carving heiroglyphics on tree bark "Old Black Joe". The marches of John endangered tree health. This and Phillip Sousa were frequent numbers. other "inpish amusements" required By sunmer' s end 1916 the Aberdeen drastic action. COnsequently, the band had played 12 concerts at Park board urged Parents of children Aldrich Park. During the war year who played in the Parks to save 1918 there were no municipal band Aberdeen's heritage of shade trees concerts at that Park. In 1919 many and shrubery. ex-members of the First South Dakota Cavalry Band joined the new salaried ALDRICH PARK WHERE THE BAND PLAYS city band directed by Howard E. Bronson. This 25 piece band held its first official public concert at 3 p. m. on Sunday afternoon June 1, 1919. This salaried band played for dances at Wylie Park on Tuesday, Thursday and saturday evenings as well as for concerts at Melgaard Park on Friday evenings and at Aldrich Park on Stmday afternoons. In 1923 under bandmaster H. Bronson two weekly concerts alternated between Aldrich and Melgaard parks. By the early 1930s once-a-week concerts « - Alaric~ Rttk" .~~=::::;.;:;:,;~ alternated between Aldrich & Melgaard Parks until sunmer 1979 when all Aldrich concert seasons usually concerts were held at Melgaard park. opened in June during the ensuing Cars were Parked closely about the decade. Most concerts ended with the square on Sunday afternoon July 13, "Star Spangled Banner" with the 1919 for the 3:00 p.m. Aldrich Park exception of some in 1915 and 1916 concert. It began and ended with the when the number "Uncle Sam" furnished traditional marches but also high­ the finale. Sunday afternoons and lighted the "Death of CUSter", a Wednesday evenings were scheduled descriptive American and Indian 12 fantasy. The narrative resume of the Those at home fortunate enough to CUSter piece indicated that awaiting have front porches facing Aldrich the audience would be music symbol­ Park relaxed on hammock, chair or izing action in both the Sioux Indian step to await the sounds of music and camp and CUSter's camp: war dance and chat with neighbors and visitors who whoops, bugles calling men to battle, joined them for the occasion. approaching cavalry to the tune of a Within the Park adults & juveniles, regimental march, clash of battle at babies & dogs gathered to enjoy the Little big Horn, Indian rejoicing music, shade and each other I s with scalp dance music, burial of company. Hundreds covered the green CUSter and his men to the sound of carpeted lawn and lined the walkways. taps and "Nearer My God to Thee". The OCcasionally, such as on Sunday July Daily News reporter felt "The battle 29, 1917 , rain and dust storm of the Little Big Horn" was portrayed scattered thousands. Usually, they vividly by the music and the effects lingered to share the shade on warm of the bugle call out-of-doors from summer days. Bench shortages, wet different parts of the park". grass and mosquitoes were sources of Aldrich--Aberdeen's north side complaint. With its flowering plants beauty spot and breathing place--was & blossoming shrubs the Park beckoned the park nearest to the city's core. to those who made their daily trek to In the days of its concert glory-­ smell the flowers, walk the pathways 1914 through the 1920s before the and seek the shade even without the Melgaard Park bandshell of 1930 magnetic pull of a concert. At such impacted the concert schedule­ times reporters viewed the park as Aldrich Park hosted automobile, sanctuary and would find many in Pedestrian, &porch front audiences. agreement with the judgement: "There At concert time a string of parked is no more pleasant place in which to autos, having sought vantage points, set for an hour as the days lengthen anchored themselves curbside on & enjoy the calm that prevails there" streets closest to the bandstand. However, courtesy demanded they keep ALDRICH PARK: A SANCTUARY their motors quiet so as not to spoil the hearing pleasure of others. Early departures should be timed for inter­ mission or between numbers. Cautionary newspaper publicity had positive results as the Daily News reporter noted proudly on sunday July 28 , 1919 "not a car within a block was started before the last note died away." However, the noise complaint surfaced again in 1925 when Superin­ tendent Anderson observed that Aldrich concerts were well attended but it was "impossible to subdue the noise and interference rising from busy streets surrounding the Park." Then there was that sense of Also, in his report of Dec. 31, 1928 excitement &togetherness associated Anderson observed that "due to with an afternoon or evening concert. excessive noise and disturbance at At concert time between musical Aldrich Park the concerts held there selections a lady seated on the grass could not be thoroughly enjoyed." composed a letter. Elsewhere several 13 fellows engaged in an amateur Birds also flocked to Aldrich wrestling match. others posed for Park where Aberdeen children had pictures by their photographer provided bird houses for the winged friends. Always children played. ones. However, in the hot sunmer of Mosquitoes diva-bombed human targets 1922 park hospitality for birds had eliciting such remarks as "Have you diminished. The Daily News person­ got any roosquitoe bites, Maggie?" One ified the blackbird and the robin might overhear a girlish remark: conversing about prohibition and how "Don't you think he is a cute dry it was. Speaking for other birds fellow?" indicating the social such as thrushes and woodpeckers, aspects of a park visit. In time the they corrplained about the park's crowds learned patriotic etiquette to water flow. Only one of the several stand erect at concert's end when the park hydrants had water flow and it band played the "Star Spangled was used by loafing bums who did not Banner" . They had been cont>ared contribute joyous song as the birds. unfavorably with Canadians who stood We birds have to fly elsewhere to when bands played "God Save the King" some stagnant water pool or go or with regional U. S. cities where thirsty. Birds threatened to fly to audiences rose at the playing of the Wylie Park if they did not receive national anthem. equal or better treatment than park From the Labor Day parade of hoboes. They suggested that park september 1915 to the Gypsy Day personnel might provide a small tin parades and the Jesus marches of the basin near a hydrant; however, birds 1990s Aldrich Park was either the might as well hunt for "an ice plant terminal point for parades starting in pergatory as to look for water in in the city center or the j~ off Aldrich park." point for parades marching southward This reference to park loafers down Main Street. The Labor Day appeared to trouble SUpt. Anderson. In parade of 1915 disbanded at Aldrich August 1916 the park board rejected Park. Speaking began at the band­ his request to prevent hobos, "grass stand. several thousand people lunged loungers" from using Aldrich Park. In toward that stand. After hearing the his report of 1925 he referred to "an program of band music and speeches element inhabiting these grounds the crowd adjourned to nearby streets where pleasure is to be troublesome & for field sports which included 50 destnlctive-nutilate property,trees, yard and 100 yard dashes by varied shrubs and plants". As a result he age groups and sexes, three legged & suggested "little roore surveillance sack races, weight throwing, broad by police to protect property." jump, rope climbing & a tug of war Over the years the park board's between the North and South sides. yearly expenditures on Aldrich Park The park itself was not large enough were in the hundreds of dollars for all this athletic activity. This whereas both Melgaard and Wylie parks was one justification for the Daily received thousands of dollars for News remark of July 6, 1917 : maintenance and ~rovements. Aldrich "Aberdeen is alJoost bare of anything park's smaller size and the fact that even hinting at natural pleasure it did not have income producing resorts, where people can go for a features may account for the quiet hour or two away from the noise difference in appropriations. and rush and heat of town. The only on July 8, 1915 the Daily American available place is Aldrich Park which editorialized on "Drinking Fountain can accomodate few and is adapted to Needed": "The spectacle of a woman gatherings of a distinct character." down on hands and knees trying to get 14 a drink out of a gas pipe hydrant in OORSESHOES AT ALDRICH PARK Aldrich park was an embarrassing sight to Aberdeen residents who have any pride in the conveniences afford­ ed in this beauty spot. The park board has placed a big electric light there to scare away the sPOOners. Now let it have a bubbling drinking fountain put up. The city has done more for the horses at this park than the humans for there is an equine drinking trough at the curb." In fall 1916 the park board financed a large drinking fountain. On July 22, 1916 a Daily News reporter quoted a park board member From 1918 through the late 1920s as saying "there is a fountain at the Anderson's reports referred to the park for which it is quite easy for deplorable condition of the Aldrich thirsty youngsters to quench their Park bandstand, that it was dirty and thirst. I spent some time at the park unsightly needing a paint job. watching the little folks for that Finally in 1930 the bandstand was special purpose. All they have to do painted along with buildings at both is to press a faucet & take a drink". Melgaard and Wylie parks. The playground movement gained Even a small two acre park like ground in Aberdeen. Supt. Anderson Aldrich required considerable addressed this in his report of 1926: maintenance. Tree pruning and removal "Because of the growing popularity of focused on willows and poplars which our outlying parks I there was not the inrpeded Elm and Ash growth. In 1917 & crowds of people that patronized our 1922 such work included tree, shrub city parks as compared with previous and grass watering especially in dry years. Automobiles and good roads seasons, raking and cutting the have made our larger park more grass, edging I hoeing and graveling accessible, resulting in better walks and paths, restocking flower crowds at the expense of our smaller beds, dandelion digging, rubbish city parks. Therefore, some radical removal, arranging park benches for treatment is necessary to maintain concerts, raising and lowering the the popularity of our close-in-parks" flag. In 1922 fence removal was including Aldrich Park. He suggested reconmended as the park hedges had services oriented to smaller children grown thick enough to be a fence such as sand boxes, a small wading replacement. pool and some playground equipment. Superintendent Anderson favored SUpt. Anderson on Dec. 31, 1928 grandiose entrances to parks. In 1919 justified the fact that playground he recommended for Aldrich two equipment was not located at Aldrich entrances facing Main St. Ten foot the previous year because neighbors long wooden arbors eight feet tall objected to the playground idea at should arch above park walks. Two that time. However, equipment was bench seats covered with woodbine ready for placement in the spring of should permit persons to be seated in 1929. The playground movement gained those arbors. He also had grandiose momentum in the 1930s as revealed in ideas for entrances to Melgaard but the picture of a youth playing there is no evidence these entry ways horseshoes at Aldrich Park. were implemented.

15 MELGAARD: "A PARK READY MADE" worJanen begin trinlning the Melgaard grove trees and clearing out the tmderbrush as a first step to making it an attractive "pleasure resort". The park board armounced in May 1910 that they would begin transplanting grove trees to untreed parts of the park. They had decided in April to do this and enploy a professional landscape gardener for ifTi>rovement ideas. By May 12 and 13 ,1911 the city park board announced they had finished planting thirty feet apart 600 trees in the 14 acres north of PLAQUE HONORING MELGAARD IN 1931 the treed 11 acre grove. Twenty-four foot driveways through the park had Aberdeen's newly created park been surveyed. These ran from the board of 1909 had eyed Andrew roads to the interior 300 foot Melgaard I s grove, established as a circle. Eventually shrubbery would tree claim in 1881. In the spring of edge the driveways and an artesian 1909 The city was pleased to receive well sunk for a fountain. Melgaard I s gift of 11 wooded acres to be used as a park. The acreage was MELGAARD ROAD 1914 located south of the city just east of the Northwestern railway right of way. The offer insisted that the park be named Melgaard. At its meeting of May 10 the city council ratified the park board's reCOIlITlendation to accept this offer which included an opportunity to PUrchase 12 additional acres at $250.00 per acre. Thus for a total of $3000 a park of 25 acres could be created. Press reaction was most favorable at the prosPect of securing a grove of shade trees that had attained full ACCESSING MELGAARD PARK: growth. The Daily American on May 5 ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS declared that the grove was "ideally The original major access road situated to become the greatest from the city core was south Main beauty spot of our entire park street to Melgaard road eastward system" . The Daily News of May 6 between Melgaard's claim shack on the focused on its size and the park road's south side and the grove ready made idea: "It would be years proper on the north side of the road. before as fine a growth of trees With the city's acceptance of could be develoPed on unifTi>roved park Melgaard I s gift, which included a property, and no tract of land that sixty-six foot drive way encircling would be secured in the city would be the entire twenty-five acres, efforts as large as this." were made to ifTi>rove access to the The park board directed that park and within the park. 16 In May 1912 with the Chicago By summer 1914 the Daily News Northwestern Railroad's construction observed "the driveways are being of a crossing over their tracks at graded from the southwest corner of State street & Lee avenue (future the park through to the center and 15th street) improved access to then out the southeast corner, making Melgaard Park was possible. No longer one continuous drive and right by the was the sole route that long detour rest house and water pipe in the by way of Melgaard's road south of center." The Daily News pointed out the park. additional driveways will be provid­ In the spring of 1911 park land ed: one from the northwest and had been plowed and s

MELGAARD' S CIRCLE DRIVE

With the construction of new driveways in July 1914, the DailY News reported expectations were high: "by summer's end automobiles and buggys will be driving allover the Park on those graded driveways." As of June 30 one could drive east and west through the middle of the park By 1923 a Northern college but that road would be closed when student's POem on Melgaard's park the others were completed. included reference to the circle In the 14 acre park area north of drive and its trees: "A restful the original 11 acres a road had been place; go visit it yourself,lAnd graded from the northwest to the notice, bending 0'er the road that center and from the northeast to the winds,lthe fine box elders and the center with another road from Arch ash, .. " street straight into the Park. 17 A rest room located near the extended and gravelled north of the park's center was connected with a park as far as Lee Avenue and the water faucet drawing water from a Northwestern tracks." That portion of 1102 foot deep soft water well which south Kline lying between 12th Ave had been completed in June 1914. The and Lee Street adjacent to the Normal Norbeck and Nicholson firm had dug school property had not been the well. A drainage pipe ran from graveled. Gravelling would have the well to the rest room vicinity completed the cycle of boulevards to and then on to Moccasin Creek. Sixty the Park. In 1928 the park's to seventy gallons of water a minute bisecting north-south road adjacent flowed from this well furnishing to the playgrounds was widened to water for humans and in dry years allow for better and more parking park trees. spaces. In 1930 a cooperative effort As a city Park Melgaard was by the city street dePartment which visited by picnickers in 1911 causing regraded the road leading north from the park board in July to authorize a the Park and the Park dePartment's "dining pavilion" so picnickers could gravelling of that road created an eat their lunches free from insects. additional well gravelled road An infrastructure to service patrons leading to and from Melgaard Park. becomes evident in 1911. However, by 1914 the access was so improved that MELGAARD TOURIST CAMP: the real beginning of wider usage of FREE CAMP ERA 1919-25 park grounds might be dated from 1914 In May 1919 the Yellowstone Trail under a reorganized city Park board travel office informed automobile with C. N. Harris as president and tourists that Aberdeen, S.D. has a Dr. Carl Fossum as secretary. camp ground offering water, wood for By 1919 illuminated poles for camp fires, ovens, and shade free of electric lights were erected in July. charge for autoists on the east-west On May I, 1920 the Daily American Yellowstone Trail. Travellers on the alerted Aberdonians that "within a north-south Sunshine Trail from short time Melgaard Park will be Manitoba to Kansas and points south lighted at night; it will be bright also converged on Aberdeen and every evening from dark until 10 utilized its Melgaard camp site. This 0'clock" . Amongst park advantages camp became the first such tourist advertised in June 1921 were night camp grounds in Northeast South lights and spring water. In 1922 Dakota. The park's east end was Superintendent Anderson suggested reserved for this purpose. One of two electric lights be extended to the reinforced concrete fireplaces circle drive and to the drive leading serviced tourists by the 1920 camping north to the park boundary. season. In June 1919 the Commercial Over the years access to and from Club or Rotary were urged to secure the park proved to be important painted signs so travelers might find factors in usage. Grading and their way to the Park. gravelling of roads outside the park Yellowstone Trail guide books as well as inside the Park was a classified Melgaard as a class A camp frequent part of city maintenance. In site . The newspaper press reported 1922 SUperintendent Anderson pointed the camp ground's popularity in 1921 with pride to the continuous paved and 1922. The Daily News in June 1921 and graveled road from the city described the advantages of stopping center to Melgaard park via Main at Melgaard: shade trees, spring Street and east on the Melgaard water, ample firewood for repaired highway--a road which had been fireplaces, cooking facilities,

18 laundry equipment such as clothes TOURIST CAMPING IN MELGAARD lines, tubs and soap, a bath house, lights at night,a writing table, and property protection as a result of constant surveillance by Park police. From July 7 through August 30, 1920 409 cars carrying 1396 people stopped at the camp. The Aberdeen Journal cited figures for May 9 through July 25, 1921 as 929 auto parties with 3090 individuals using the camp grounds. In 1922 that number increased to 2055 cars with 6418 people. A Daily News headline for June 20, 1921 asserted "Melgaard is best camp ground from here to Atlantic" . Increased usage of the tourist Alfred B. Johnson, veteran tourist camp necessitated ill\Proved facilities from Massachusetts, confessed that and expanded space. In December 1922 his good ill\Pression of Aberdeen Anderson reported the camp shower originated with his Melgaard park bath was inadequate. As a result a experiences. on Thursday night June two cOfl\Partment bath house was 2, 1921 nine tourist groups canped at constructed. The old shower bath was Melgaard and the previous night five retained for men; a new section was tourist parties stayed there. More built for women only. The 1922 report were expected as the weather warmed. asserted that in the tourist area "it The camp bulletin board included has been necessary for us to park a notice describing road conditions between 50 and 60 cars on some nights east amd west of Aberdeen. Recogniz­ during the Past surrmer. This required ing the publicity value of satisfied very careful systematic arrangement tourists, SUperintendent Anderson of these cars and tents. The camp­ described how visitors were ground at times has proven too small processed: "After registering the for the number of cars. COnsequently Party is located in a place where it some tourists, dissatisfied with is convenient for them to pitch their crowded conditions, sought camping tent and provided with a table and elsewhere while others were allowed suif icient benches. They are directed to pitch their tents in other parts to the wood pile often already cut to of the Park." cook meals at nearby fireplaces. To resolve the problem the Directed to water taps, pipes superintendent reconmended that the extended this summer to camp ground. camp ground be extended to include Adequate toilets. Shower baths "that area west of the Park drive screened in and electric lighted rest between the playground and the end of house open to them where they may the Park on the east." He suggested visit, read and write letters without addition of a shelter and tourist being molested by flies and kitchen with a range and several mosquitos. Plenty of shade for our kerosene stoves for meal preparation. tourists." According to this report OCcasionally weather dampened for the 1920 season some Cafl\Pers Cafl\Per spirits. one such occasion stopped for several days to rest and was Saturday night July 2, 1921 when wash, buying auto parts and tornadic wind and rain hit the provisions. Aberdeen area. Cafl\Per C. J. Olson of

19 Madison, Minn. described what their men folk worked on cars and followed: conversed about cars and travel. "Twenty cars, with about forty A familiar scene for canq;>ers persons were in camp, with tents not marked the evening of June 2, 1922. up. When the wind hit the park I About 8 p.m. ladies washed dishes started for the barn, for protection. after the evening meal and men "A woman, with a baby, saw the gathered firewood for socializing storm coming, tried to make her way around the camp fire. One canq;>er to the house to she1ter the baby, but considered that an easier task than failed. handling the home furnace. "I got a rain coat and shipped On a Friday night June 9, 1922 her to the women I s rest room, where thirteen tents gave a tent city it was dry and comfortable. All of effect to the east end of Melgaard the women of the camp were gathered park. Two days of rain caused canq;>ers together there. The wind and rain to stay longer waiting for roads to were not so severe at Melgaard as in dry. One family set up their victrola Aberdeen. in the eating pavilion so as to have "A few cars which had been in town music for dancing. There were sixty when the storm broke, began to pull tourists canq;>ed at the park, a large into camp, reporting heavy winds and number for one night. torrents of rain. The Aberdeen Journal reported on "Telephone wires were down, and a July 12, 1922 that the Melgaard camp few of us who were curious cranked up had made the national magazine "Motor a car and made our way to town. The World" which recognized Aberdeen as roads were running full of water. The the leading U.S. city in prOlOOtion wind still raged. We got to the and success of its c~ grounds. The business district, looked over the story asserted that "Aberdeen, a town damage and returned to c~. Last of 14,537 population on the trans­ night...roost of the tents were dry. continental Yellowstone trail, a None blown over. One tent with little couple of years ago established a pitch to the roof held too much water free public camp of four acres for and collapsed." autOlOObile tourists, a mile and a In september 1921 an Aberdeen half from the business center. There Journal headline declared: "Melgaard was c~ing space for 35 cars and 125 C~ing Site Shelters Wet Tourists". PeOple under shady trees. No fees Rainy days before sept. 16 had made were imposed, no permits required. roads impassable. Fifteen or twenty The town supplied shelter, fire­ camping Parties had the luxury of a places, stoves, ovens, running water, refuge at the Melgaard site. On the electric lights, firewood, toilets, a park lawn the afternoon sun dried tennis court, cooking laundry and clothng and bedding which had been bathing facilities, police protection drenched in previous rains. One and a playground for children, all camper declared "This is one of the without cost to the gasoline best camp sites we have struck in the wanderers. Camp chairs, cots and cross-country drive and we alroost other furniture could be rented at forget the trials of a muddy road nominal rates. A band concert was while we are here." held every Monday." On Friday evening september 16 , That StUIIITIer copies of the Aberdeen 1921 women of this group, no longer Journal were distributed to canq;>ers confined by the week long rain, along with Tiffany Laundry and Dry gathered around an outdoor c~ fire Cleaning handbills which read: "our swapping stories of the road while driver will call toroorrow rooming,

20 between 7: 30 and 8 0'clock for any MELGAARD TOURIST CAMP: laundry, dry cleaning or hat blocking THE PAY ERA: 1925-1931 you may want done. Work called for in In 1925 tourist attendance at the morning delivered the same night, Melgaard decreased somewhat with if you request it. Ask the driver for 4068 cars registered and 12,451 information and prices. You will find people. A possible reason was the all our charges reasonable." levy of a 50 cent charge effective Tourist usage of Melgaard canp August 1, 1925. SUperintendent site peaked in the years 1922 through Anderson reflected that despite a 1924. Increased numbers verified the few hardy protests most favored the need for more Parking spaces. Some change. Better people and less nights 80 to 90 cars were found at disturbance resulted in more the canpground. Plans were made to satisfied canpers. Yet in 1926 a extend the canpground into the sharp decrease was noted when only nursery area at the northeast end of 1896 cars were registered. the park. The elm and ash trees there Explanations offered were the pay could be used to beautify the city canp status which eliminated "a and the ground seeded to establish a certain class of travel", and less good turf for the canpers. auto travel due to economic In summer of 1924, 4501 cars with downturn. The Sixth Ave. free canp about 13,000 people caJrI)ed at was ignored by tourists in 1926. Melgaard tourist grounds. SUperin­ The decline in tourist usage of tendent Anderson observed on Jan. 15, Melgaard continued. During the 1928 1925 what he perceived as a decline season only 1612 cars registered. in the quality type people visiting However, upcoming inprovements of the canp grounds. The obnoxious sanitary toilets, wash bowls and mingling of laboring and hobo types shower baths along with extension of with traditional canpers were the sanitary sewer to the Park in resented by the more legitimate 1928 were expected to remedy this tourists. The new element's children downward trend. In 1929 the tourist monopolized the playground equipment canp's net earnings were $435.50. In to the detriment of others. The idea 1929 the tourist canp moved to a new of two canp grotmds-one free and one location within the Park and the old charge surfaced as a solution to this tourist rest house was remodeled into problem. A canp ground on Nicollete a public toilet building. Still the Ave. (future 6th Ave) had been in decline in attendance continued. preParation since 1921 and could Explanations offered were serve as the free canp ground after ~tition of cabin carrps and August 1, 1925 when a charge of 50 general decrease of tourist travel in cents was assessed to those using the summer 1929. These observations were Melgaard canp. Anderson's report for reaffirmed in Anderson's 1930 report: 1925 showed disillusionment: "the "well established cabin carrps are tourist canp should be entirely being maintained on our ~rtant separate from our public park. There trails and seemingly these canps is nothing in common between Park enjoyed a good business. Our tourist visitors and canp grotmd arabs, the canp is a money-losing enterprise, tourists wanting more seclusion and and if patronage does not increase less disturbance, resenting to a this coming year, I recomnend our great extent any visitations to their tourist camp be abandoned canp by those not belonging to their altogether." Net earnings for the fraternity. Outside children tourist canp in 1930 were $188.35 monopolize the equipment." and in 1931 $120.00 21 THE EVOLVING PARK: shades and screens were ordered and aIANGE AND EXPANSION outside painting completed. In 1917 a BUILDINGS barn-machine shed and garage In addition to improved road combination was constructed with access and internal driveways, the lumber from the Thonpson Lumber park featured structures which helped Yards. In January 1918 the house was to fulfill its service mission. In valued at $1500 and the barn at $500. the park's center was a rest room and The city sewer was extended to the a soft water well completed in June home in fall 1928 with a 4" tile. The 1914. City sewer was extended with a park board accepted H. J. Moes' bid 6" tile to the restroom in 1928. The of $1469 to remodel the home in 1929. restroom was also remodeled by H.J. Architect George Fossum prepared the Moes in 1929 for $595.85. remodeling plans for the addition to that residence. SCREENED PICNIC SHELTER 1935 In June 1917 the park board approved funding for 2 fountains. In Hay 1928 the board accepted the American Legion's local 40 et 8 offer for a drinking fountain which was installed in a central location that year. An older concession stand was replaced in 1930. For years the concession stand provided food and drink for picnikers &park visitors.

THE ACTIVE LIFE: MELGAARD AS PLAYGROUND Special recreational features which attracted nore PeOple to the park were children's playground, a wading In 1911 an enclosed picnic shelter pool and tennis courts. In 1919 and or pavilion was built. In January 1920 the superintendent asked for 1918 it was valued at $200.00 ~ as nore playground apparatus as the of January 1, 1923 its value had current playground had proven very increased to $300. In 1922 Anderson popular. SUperintendent Anderson's reported "we have but one screened-in report of Dec. 31, 1922 recognized picnic pavilion--always on demand. the importance of children's many parties must hold picnics playgrounds. "We must include elsewhere. During certain times of broader scope" to our beautiful and the season the flies and mosquitos restful parks. "We have limited areas are exceedingly troublesome. " He devoted for the use of children for reCOlllllended four small screened in play including such features as "tea houses" (screened pavilions) swings, teters and giant strides. We containing a table for 12 to 15 should make further provisions for PeOple. However, the board minutes the comfort and enjoYment of the reveal no implementation of this rising generation. We find that our suggestion. In January 1923 Melgaard playgrounds are too small, that it is park building inventory this picnic continually overtaxed with anxious pavilion of 1911 was valued at $300. children awaiting their turn. Our The superintendent's house was amusements are too confined and too located at Melgaard and required similar." He urged varied equipment maintenance over the years. In 1916 including a small wading pool. At the 22 CHILDREN IN WADING POOL 1935 CHILDREN ON MERRY-GO-ROUND 1935

April 12, 1923 park board meeting a In 1926 Melgaard had been in concrete wading pool was authorized. IIconstant use" and at times was The superintendent reported that in overcrowded, especially the its initial season of use the pool playground and wading pool. II had been "extremely popular and in Additional playground equipment was use roost of the time". The pool and placed at Melgaard in 1928. The its installation cost $1057.22. playgrmmd had been segregated from Because children often used other traffic. The tourist camp extension park buildings in which to don and of 1922 with its road system had been reroove swim suits, the park board relocated eastward. The resulting authorized a dressing room near the widened north-south road bisecting wading pool at the cost of about the park adjacent to the playground $500. Dressing conpartments were permitted roore parking space. provided for both boys and girls. At the the west end of the park The presence of so many children at trees were rerooved and two tennis the playground and wading pool caused courts constructed in 1925. Shortly, roounting concern for safety from they were in constant use. Two roore traffic hazards. In 1924 the super­ courts were authorized at the park intendent noted that lithe play­ board meeting of April 24, 1928. Tree ground was surrounded in part by rerooval preceded the erection chiefly three heavily traveled roads, with no by jail labor of the two additional protection against children using our courts in 1929. playgrounds. These roads are hidden from view for a considerble distance GROUNDS AND LAMDSCAPING by trees and shrubs" . SOlutions several nurseries were located in recorrmended were IIan enclosed play­ Melgaard Park. They provided trees ground using a mesh fence 4 to 4 1/2 and shrubs for city boulevard feet in height with a playground beautification and sickly tree entrance at several places. II In replacement in the cemetery and spring 1925 the playground was parks. In 1921 Superintendent extended. For smaller children, a Anderson urged elm, maple, hackberry section was enclosed on 2 sides to and ash growing west of the semi­ protect them from road traffic. Still circle be rooved elsewhere including SPace was limited. A solution was to the Nicollet site on 6th Ave. During use space in the tourist camp and 1922 about 800 elm and ash were relocate tourists. presented to city residents.

23 Some additional stock was purchased accomplish these objectives made up a when the supply on hand was close to major share of the Melgaard main­ exhaustion. The inventory of Melgaard tenance budget which in 1917 was nursery stock on Jan. 1, 1923 listed $1363.96. In 1917 many improvements trees worth $8,775.00 These were 2900 were instituted. seven picnic tables hackberry, 4600 ash, 8500 elm, 750 and seats and rustic arches with popular, 2000 box elder and 350 soft seats were distributed throughout the maple. Park. Shrubs and trees were planted Nursery areas gradually diminished in the semi-circle and about 1000 in size. In 1925 and again in 1928 shrubs were planted in the nursery. trees were removed to build tennis About 54 trees throughout the Park courts on the Park's west end. were removed to give neighboring Nursery space on the northeast was trees a better chance to spread their utilized in 1922-23 for an expanded crowns and roots. In september 1919 tourist camp and in 1929 tree space Superintendent Anderson recommended was cleared in the southwest for the removal of all trees in the nursery bandshell of 1930. Also vegetation to a width of 40 feet from both sides gave way to horsehoe courts. SUperin­ of the road between the north tendent Anderson felt the Park should entrance and the semi-circle in order be used more for recreational use and to establish a formal rose and less space devoted to nursery stock. perrenial garden. He suggested In 1926 he stated "Last spring a planting of flower beds bordered by great many trees were given away from white stone and intersected with the nursery to residents of the city gravel walks. Narrow, vine covered on condition they be well planted and arch ways should mark the entry way properly taken care of. This along to this garden. While it is not clear with trees used by the dePartment in whether all of Anderson's Parks and cemetery reduced the total recommendations were implemented, number of nursery trees materially, Park board minutes of August 9, 1920 but those remaining are now of such authorized the superintendent to size they are difficult to move remove the trees in the small circle successfully with exception of a few. between the drives at Melgaard Park These trees occupy a Part of the Park south of the caretakers house and that should be designed and develoPed landscape that site with shrubs and more along the park idea... Before flower beds. this area can be used for further S. H. Anderson advocated park park development, these trees must be entrances. In August 1917 he disposed of." envisioned large substantial and The nursery inventory & approximate beautiful arch ways at the entrances. valuation given on January 1, 1930 He suggested an arch way of steel or was 500 evergreens worth $475, 1000 wood at drive entrances with the perennials valued at $80 and 1000 park's name prominently displayed. shrubs worth $200. A year later there Apparently these did not materialize were only 300 evergreens, and 500 as in 1919 he again recolllllended "a shrubs. However, an increase in substantial and beautiful entrance perennials (1500) was noted. way especially at the most important Maintenance work at Melgaard northern entrance. He suggested that included hoeing and pruning the stucco concrete, stone or brick be nursery and a general trinuning of the used to construct four pillars on trees in the main Park, cultivating, each side of the road, connected by a dragging and hoeing drives, mowing ballustrade or wall 3 feet high and and raking grass and hay. Labor to 1 1/2 feet wide. 24 Two additional pillars were to be 8 paper perceived the eating shelter as feet high and 3 feet wide connected a welcome addition. by wall several feet high. Pillars Educational and religious should be topPed by electric lights. organizations, professional business, The concept of grandiose entrances labor and farm personnel as well as differs considerably from the simple fraternal societies hosted large wooden sign that marks the north group picnics at Melgaard. entry in the 1990s. The southern entry today with its large black RURAL DDDfSTRATlexf SCJI)()L: letters embedded in a brick wall PLAYDAY PICNICS planter is closer to Anderson's ideas One annual picnic was that of 1917 and 1919. associated with the nearby Normal school. The Northern Rural 1995 MELGMRD ENTRANCE SIGN Demonstration SChools earned a national reputation in rural education. From 1922 the Rural Education DePartment at Northern hosted annual picnics for the schools in the' deroonstration school district and even some outside the district. On a saturday in late May or early June students and teachers from at least a dozen rural schools gathered at Melgaard in celebration of approaching sUlllller vacation. Newspaper' acco\mts for 1925, 1926, 1929, 1930 and 1931 profile picnic attendance and activities. Prominent Northern faculty members, remembered later in Northern's Instructed as early as 1927 to history, chaired conmi.ttees and find a memorial site to honor Andrew supervised the varied picnic events­ Melgaard, Anderson reported on OCt. -Arthur seYlOOur, Grace McArthur , 22, 1930 to the Park board that he Margaret Briscoe, Vernon Culp, had located a site for the Melgaard Milton Tostlebe, E. L. Smith , M. M. Memorial north of the fountain in the Guffin and 1. D. Weeks. In addition circle facing toward the south. On to students and practice teachers, that site a bronze statue of Andrew Parents and friends swelled Melgaard was dedicated in 1931. attendance to nearly 1000 in 1925 and 1926, over 2000 in 1930 and 1200 PICNIC AT THB PARK in 1931. Over 400 school children Melgaard I s grove before it became from 11 schools were present in a city Park served as a rendezvous 1926.Thirteen schools and twenty for picnickers. Under city classrooms were represented in 1929. management it continued in this The Evening News in May 1929 capacity but with improved characterized youthful and adult facilities. One of the earliest attitudes as picnic day approached. structures was the popular, enclosed This annual event was "a time when picnic pavilion of 1911. By that studies, work and daily routine are year the Daily American referred to entirely forgotten, and patrons, Melgaard as "a favorite gathering children, rural instructors and place for picniking parties". That student teachers alike enter into a

25 day of joyful activity. Picnic day is school of Bath, Warner school and Gem looked forward to and conversed about school, the sunshine school 3 miles by the children throughout the year. north of Warner along with Normal's Picnic day means just a very few canpus school. In 1926 Sunshine and remaining weeks of regular school Ordway failed to attend but Wright, work before sunmer vacation begins." Banner, Eldergrove, Grote schools did in addition to the others listed. In 1927 DP.KlNS'l'RATION SCHOOLS PICNIC 1930 along with the 13 demonstration schools, four other rural schools and teachers were invited: Rainbow, Gem, West Gem and Mansfield. Also faculty from neighboring towns as well as Northern faculty were invited guests. Athletic contests occupied the afternoon. Generally, competitions were divided into initial track and field activities graded by age and sex followed by baseball all-stars in which winners of morning games clashed for the county charrpionship. In 1926 a tug of war between schools was the initial event followed by a variety of cornpetitions: broad and high jlJJlPS , Beginning about 10:30 a.m. horseshoe pitching and girl's preliminary baseball games selected volleyball. Aberdeen dancer Jane winners to play in the afternoon all­ Freely's toe dance provided an stars game and playgrotmd activities interlude before the boy's and gir11 s were available for those not playing 50 yard dashes, the practice teacher or watching baseball. At noon or races/ and relay races . 12: 30 pm. with student teachers as guests each coll1l1Ul'li.ty ate together as BY THE CAMPFIRE I S GLOW: a unit under an identifying banner MELGAARD BY KXM.I

27 clientele of young and old with out­ baritone and several instrumental of-town groves such as Tacoma Park ones: trumpet, xylophone, French and with outlying Wylie Park which horn, and cornet. The Howard Bronson had greater space and variety of era ended with the 1923 season having amusements. established a salaried city band with By 1932 Harold Melgaard offered professional musicians and laying for park purPOses a tract north of foundations which the new band di­ Melgaard Park and east of the C & rector carl Eilert continUed from N.W.R.R. parallel to Lloyd St. on the 1924 through 1934. As at Aldrich the east and extending to 15th St. He band played varied musical tyPes for justified the offer with the argument each program: several marches, a that "Melgaard Park is not large waltz, a Victor Herbert operetta enough to handle average crowds selection, an overture, an idyle such seeking recreqtion during the summer as the "Mountain Maiden's Dream" and months at present. As time goes on often unusual descriptive pieces such the problem will be acute." While the as "A Hunt in the Black Forest" where park board recommended purchase at the sounds of the hunt are reproduced $8000 plus 1/2 the unpaid taxes, the according to a synopsis provided in city did not inCOrPOrate this area the newspaper. Novelty pieces with into an enlarged Melgaard Park. the trombone and other instruments helPed provide variety. CONCERTS AT THE PARK In 1927 the 22 member band played PORTABLE BANDSTAND ERA two concerts a week, Wednesday at 1919-1930 Aldrich and Friday at Melgaard except Between 1912 and 1917 Aldrich that rain cancelled the Friday night Park was where the band played concert which was rescheduled for exclusively Melgaard concerts began Sunday July 2. The season began in 1919 with the leadership of city Friday June 10 and ended Friday band director Howard Bronson and the August 26. formation of the· Municipal Band Popular numbers interspersed which alternated between Aldrich, between higher class program numbers Wylie and Melgaard starting on June gave a unique flavor to Melgaard 1919 at 8 p.m. on Monday night. In concerts in 1927. Some of these were 1923 the city band increased weekly dance hits. A sampler follows: "sam concerts to five instead of three as the Old Accordian Man", "Take to the in previous years. By May 1923 Sun , Fling out the Moon", "Honoluhu Friday night became Melgaard's Moon", "Sweet Marie", "t'm Looking concert night. The band played at over a Four Leaf Clover", "Moonbeam Aldrich on Wednesday evenings and at Kiss her for Me"; "Where the Wild, Wylie on Thursday nights. Wild Flowers Grow, "Let' Me Call You A portable stage erected in the Sweetheart", "Mother of Mine", "My center of the garden bed circle Bouquet of Memories" and "What do we served to bring the sound of music in do on a Dew Dew Dewy Day" 1921 and 1922. The Aberdeen Journal In 1929 there were two concerts on June 23, 1922 judged that "the weekly with the mid-week concerts sound of music seems to carry better divided between Aldrich and at Melgaard's grove than in any other Northern's open air theatre while locality in which the concerts are Sunday concerts were at Melgaard, given." Each program featured an still referred to in newspaper intermission preceded by five numbers pqplicityas "south of the city". The and followed by four more. In 1923 band shell was not yet completed for the band featured varied solos: vocal the concert on Sunday afternoon June 28 22, 1930 so a temporary platform was profile to the band in Park environ­ located in a shady portion of the ment conducive to.enjoYment of music" Park. Publicity featured modern In 1926 he noted audience musical arrangements and modern appreciation of varied types of music instrumentation for 1930 season: played by Eilert and the city band in "saxaphones and other instruments addition to classical numbers. He playing in such a manner so as to suggested more speciality and novelty produce the same musical effect as a attractions, vocalists, quartettes, thirty piece dance orchestra". choruses even a lawn dance to provide Between 1917 & 1929 SUperintendent variety. In his 1929 report he still Anderson had recommended an electric referred to the temporary grandstand lighted band stand for Melgaard Park as "not satisfactory". However, a similar to that of Aldrich Park. He change was in the offing. Workers cut suggested a location in "the triangle down nursery trees in the northwest south of the semi-circle at the corner of the Park to prePare a perm­ junction of the 2 roads leading into anent site for a bandshell which the the middle drive" This would facili­ American Legion at their meeting of tate automobile Parking without June 3, 1929 pledged labor and money interfering with PeOple on the to build for the city. grounds. He called the temporary band platform inadequate and unsightly. A KELGMRD BAND SHELL BUILT IN 1930 better musical effect provided by such a stand would keep band members and audiences happier. Band members felt the portable platform was too small for the size of the band. Anderson reported in 1922: "On some nights an estimated 300 to 400 cars along with the walking populace. Conservatively speaking from 1000 to 2000 PeOple have weekly enjoyed these concerts". Anderson's 1922 report focused on traffic congestion on concert nights. Parking was poor. No plan had been designed to handle cars. Conse­ SOUND OF MUSIC: 1930-31 quently, confusion and noise A PKRMAHENT BANDSTAND aCCOlJl)ani.ed these concerts. He sug­ On Tuesday evening July 8, 1930 gested that after a bandstand was at 7: 30 the dedicatory program took built "the roads surrounding the place at the Park. Embedded in the circle and irmnediately adjacent to cornerstone were names of all the bandstand be widened sufficiently Aberdeen Legionaires & the Auxilary. to allow the parking of two tier of Mayor John Wade spoke briefly. After cars and yet have sufficient space the State Legion convnander Horrison for traffic to continue uninterrupted addressed the audience, park board between musical numbers". member John Si.nIoons accepted the 45 The Park board budgeted $3500 for foot by 21 foot bandstand for the a bandstand in 1922 and again in 1923 city. The Legion drum corps provided but the city did not appropriate SPecial music previous to the those funds. The superintendent speeches and a rmmicipal band concert admitted in 1925 that "the temporary closed the program with a selection platform served to give higher of world war songs.

29 After the band stand was construct­ STATUE OF ANDREW MELGAARD ed in 1930 crowds flocked to hear the sound of music which "even the JOOst technical music lover could under­ stand" . Anderson suggested that perhaps the policing and noise problem at Aldrich Park concerts may have been a factor in increased attendance at Melgaard concerts in the new band shell. The total cost of about $2700 was paid by the Legion for that shell.

HERITAGE OF SHADE AND SPACE: MELGAARD MEt«>RIAL 1931 Viewers might visualize this At a board meeting of OCtober 22, robust pioneer walking to Watertown 1930 SUperintendent Anderson reported 100 miles to the east in order to selection of a site for the Melgaard file his claim. Andrew's son Harold MelOOrial, located just north of the declared ''It is so perfectly con­ fountain in the circle facing south. structed that corning from any In 1930 sculptress Alice Littig Siems direction, one who knew him would had designed the statue of this instantly recognize the resemblance. " Norwegian who had immigrated to The inscription plate on the rock Minnesota in 1869 and who on June 4, foundation read: " This statue is 1880 had filed a claim on land a mile erected in meJOOry of Andrew Melgaard, south of future Aberdeen. The American pioneer, who presented this park to Bronze Co. of Chicago were con­ the city of Aberdeen." tractors for the 6 1/2 foot statue. Andrew Melgaard well before his Two unveilings of the statue death in 1911 had welcomed residents occurred. On Stmday June 7th, 1931 of a treeless prairie town to picnic the Congregational, Episcopal and at the grove even before acreage was Lutheran ministers conducted merorial given to the city. The words of John services at the park concluding Wade affirm the importance of trees Aberdeen's Golden Jubilee cele­ to prairie folk: ''It was by his bration. Since the actual statue had untiring efforts that these trees not arrived, a miniature verson was were grown. Many of you within the unveiled at this time with John Wade sound of my voice knew how difficult presiding. The city band, Carl Eilert it was in those early days to get directing, provided music. trees started on occmmt of dry The larger statue arrived in mid weather, hot winds and various other July 1931 and was placed on a things. Many times he was tempted to gigantic boulder foundation located give up to despair, but he had a will at the north end of the landscaPed as adament as the rock that supports green lawn near the park I S center. his statue.He kept on with his work." John Kruger had donated the huge Here was a heritage--a natural boulder. At 7 p.m. Monday August 3 beauty spot--that area residents the second unveiling occurred with a continue to enjoy into the 1990s and review of Melgaard's life by former beyond. An Evening News editorial of mayor John Wade; Park Board chair August 4, 1931 referred to pioneer John SiD11lOns acceptance of the statue Andrew Melgard as "the man who gave from Mayor Douglas; music by the to the city its finest and JOOst Municipal Band and conmunity singing. popular park and recreational place" .

30 WYLIE PARK of way across that 160 acres which .~ IS THE TIME! II had been Part of the initial ACQUISITION & EXPANSION 1910-1912 contract. His designated method of on August 29, 1910 the Aberdeen payment was $5000 cash on acceptance city council authorized purchase at of the offer and the balance to be $100 an acre of Alva N. Aldrichlls 160 paid on or before March 1, 1911. on acre farm. Ten of those acres were November 22 Alderman campbell roved treed rostly with ash and box elders. acceptance providing a warranty deed Terms of the agreement required that and abstract showing clear title. A 6 the land. be known as Wylie Park in to 2 vote adopted the resolution. honor of James Wylie, the father of Aldermen Hezel, Kruger and. Giesen Aldrich I s wife. The legal location of voted yes on the grounds that the the tract 1 1/2 miles northwest of land was easily worth the price, that the _city limits was the southwest many citizens were supportive of quarter of section 1, township 123, buying in the present to meet future range 64. The Daily American on needs and that adequate funds were on August 30, 1910 exclaimed IIAt last hand for Park extension. John Wade the Aberdeen park system had a Park opposed on basis that the public did on a scale conmensur~te with the not favor it. Citizens in attendance city's bignessll ! expressed views. Isaac Lincoln felt However, not until November 1910 the city was not in a position to pay was the deal fully inplemented. An for the property and called the vote attempt to refer the purchase to a lithe greatest mistake the city ever vote of the people was a major delay made ll . C. N. Herreid asserted II I am in tactic. on November 25 opponents favor of any rove that makes for a circulated a petition which with better Aberdeen". proper signatures was filed December on November 23 the Daily American 3 with the city auditor. The city headline announced IlGood Morning, ll attorney and council considered the We I ve bought Wylie Park .A sarcastic petitions invalid. If a precedent note is detected: IIThey wanted the were set every ronthly budget item Park in. The people said they didnIt. might be challenged in the future and. A cinch. No chance for vox populi, impede government effectiveness. pro bono publico and the rest of the A temporary court order held up comnon folks who can only vote. Nix negotiations until September 12 when on that kind of foolishness. " the mayor and aldermen were to go Positively the newspaper found a ray before the court to explain why the of sunshine in the referendum action. contract should not be voided. The city secured the property for Believing that the council lacked $1000 less than originally asked.The authority to estabish Parks outside American hoped that "someday it will the city limits, the plaintiffs be a beautiful Parkll . charged there were insufficient funds The Daily News of November 23, to purchase the tract and that no 1910 referred to opponents as short taxes were plarmed to make up the sighted but would soon reco9I1ize the $9000 difference between the purchase need to buy land when it is price &the current $7000 Park fund. relatively cheap. "Now is the time to Aldrich withdrew the offer and. the secure sites for Parks and breathing council rescinded its action. Then spots which will become an absolute Mr. Aldrich resubmitted his proposal necessity as the town grows". to the city council on November 14, On Monday December 12, 1910 the 1910 at a reduced price of $15,000 Aberdeen Street Railroad donated to but not including the railway right the city about 30 acres of sunken,

31 unsurveyed land at the southeast park vegetation. scattered through­ corner of Wylie Park to be graded and out the park were forty benches. To floOOed for an artificial lake. In help cool the air a central fountain this separate donation the railway serviced from the artesian well was ~y proposed to build a drive way promised in a few days. Band concerts around the lake. were promised for at least twice a The construction season of 1911 was week and dancing every evening except a transition time between the year of sunday until mid september. purchase and 1912, the year of IOOre The Daily American of July 6 visible improvements at Wylie Park. editorialized on this "historic Well digging was c~leted in August event" in which hundreds of 1911. By July 4 there was already a Aberdonians participated: "It was the goOO well and later the Street car birth of Wylie park as well as the ~any dug another well 3" in birth of the nation I and someday they diameter with water flowing into the are going to tell their children how lake area. Costs of creating the lake they went out to that park the day it were estimated at $500 to $600 was opened. Then they will laugh over because the natural depression which the park as it is today, because it became the lake reduced excavation will then be the nucleus of a great costs. Fourth of July fireworks were park system of a great city...it is set off on the lake's island. The going to be a very pleasant place to lake was not yet completely dredged go for a ride across the prairie." and filled for July 4 festivities. A week later surveyors c~leted On Monday evening July 3, 1911 the the engineering work previous to street cars opened their SPeCial actual deepening of the natural Wylie Park run for the regular city depression, building up its banks , route price of 5 cents. The evening and increasing its waters by flow run was oriented to the curious who from the artesian well. People would wished to view the electrically no longer have to travel miles to lighted park before the July 4th visit a natural beauty spot on the celebration. Passengers could eXPeCt shores of a lake. On a hot day or no entertainment until Tuesday, July night they could take a pleasant ride 4. A band stand, dancing pavilion, on the street car and find shade refreshment stand and cafe awaited trees, park benches, dancing, them. Rails had been laid by a 60 man refreshment and "delightful fresh air crew on Saturday July 1. "The Wylie and rest with little expense of money Park and Normal" run during the or energy". summer season was in open sided, On the evening of July 24, 1911 the rather than enclosed, street cars. park board contracted with Norbeck Aberdonians were informed that and Nicholson for a 3 inch well which park management had authorized free was to be used to augment rain water admission to the park, had leased the and snow melt which often accumulated refreshment stand, cafe and the in the natural lake bed. By early dancing pavilion to reliable persons August lake excavations to deepen the who were expected to maintain a clean lake were ~leted. Sinking of the and moral environment with no liquor well followed. permitted on the grounds. At the Around the shores of Lake Minne-eho concession stand visitors could years of a seasonal beach life with refreshen themselves with soft its swinlning, boating and fishing drinks, lunches and even secure their loomed ahead for area residents. favorite cigar. A thousand feet of By mid July 1911 the transportation pipe provided life-giving water to schedule from the "double track" to

32 Wylie Park began with a morning run William Owsley, head of the Park at 10 a.m. and in the afternoon Pavilion Company, in response to what every hour from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. he called "annoyances caused by Between 7 p.m. to 11:20 p.m. the drunks and ruffians of the past week" street car company offered 20 minute declared that the corrpany aimed to service. "keep the Park a fit amusement place Starting early in september for a man, or his wife or his sister, through October, 1911 the dance to go and spend the evening." He pavilion serviced the public only on promised sufficient force to keep out Wednesday and saturday evenings and the obnoxious element, and terminate only during favorable weather. "all forms of rowdyism such as Private Parties might reserve the drinking, profanity, loud or abusive pavilion on other evenings and street language" and all "roughneckism". car service would be available for The unfavorable publicity of July those special occasions. 1911 as to disorderly behavior at The Ladies Aid of the Methodist Wylie was a forerunner of ministerial Episcopal Church helPed establish concern which surfaced in June 1912. Wylie's reputation as a major picnic Owsley confessed that during this Park when on July 20, 1911 members first operative year the Park boarded the 3 p.m. street car for a Pavilion COmpany had not been able to picnic supper at 6 p.m. On that same provide the quality and variety of Thursday the Degree of Honor amusement envisioned and promised organization departed at 2:30 p.m. such for the ensuing year 1912. from the Normal school streetcar The Park board approved many terminal in a SPeCial car decorated iIli>rovements for 1912. One was to with Degree of Honor colors. Their build a home for the Park foreman. destination--Wylie Park and a picnic Another was transfer of Aldrich Park supper at 6 p.m. deer and pelican to a newly enclosed The transition year 1911 space at Wylie. Also, water was piPed experienced a cornroon public dance to a fountain in the center of Lake hall problem which surfaced from time Minne-eho. Furthermore, the board to time over the years--disorderly authorized lining the lake banks with behavior of certain elements who stone from the old Lincoln school. became obnoxious due to excessive Previous to the mid June opening alcohol consumption. On the night of in 1912 of the Wylie baseball park, Wednesday July 27 dance floor manager the grandstand, fence and bleachers J.J. Cason requested police action. of the east side Athletic Park were An altercation followed when Deputy rnoved to the Wylie site providing Sheriff Fred Henning confronted seats for over 1000. Wylie ball park several intoxicated men. The officer was located across the road south of who was not wearing his official Lake Minne-eho. badge, was bruised. A stick wielder On Sunday June 23, 1912 the first in the crowd hit him on the head. summer game at Lake Minne-eho This incident triggered official baseball Park was called. A publicity announcements that such rowdyism slogan," All Ho for Wylie Park" would not be tolerated: "there has embodied images of cool shade under been a good deal of disorderly park trees, freshness of lake water, conduct at Wylie in the evenings, baseball excitement and the sound of and, if not stopPed, the Park band music. At 3 p.m. that SUnday a off icials are going to put enough band concert preceded the 4 p. m. game officers on duty there to prevent any in which the Groton team contested further occurrences of this kind." with the Aberdeen Red Men.

33 A steam merry-go-round carousel the corruptive influence of dance provided amusement as did clinker halls. Six Aberdeen pastors repre­ bottomed boats awaiting lake use. senting Baptist, Presbyterian, Large size gold fish swam in the Methodist, Congregational and sacred lake. A fountain gushed water into Heart churches called upon the city the lake night and day. to get rid of the public dance hall Daily street car service in 1912 at Wylie Park. They characterized it continued the 10 a.m. schedule of the as harmful to youthful morals and a previous year, but made one less "public nuisance", "an evil", "a afternoon departure for the park: constant menace". 1 p.m, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The after­ While calling public parks a noon departure schedule from the park blessing, they were convinced that was 1:40 p.m., 3:40 p.m. and 5:40 "the public dance wherever it is p. m. Twenty minute evening services held--in city or at the park--is a continued from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. curse to be ranked with the saloon The 4th of July at Wylie began and the brothel as "allied evils". decades of competition with the Questionable characters frequented attractions of Tacoma Park some 18 the dance floor--"a constant peril to miles northeast of Aberdeen. On that girlhood". The pastors were "amazed sPeCial day street car service to that the park board of this city Wylie was every 20 minutes from 9: 40 against the earnest protest of the a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:40 p.m.to mayor and other resPeCtable citizens, 11 p.m. is willing to imperil the moral For the Fourth of July a concert safety and purity of our boys and tent awaited music lovers with band girls by giving their consent to performances at 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 establish a public dance hall at p.m. Under the canvas of the tent Wylie park and permit such a menace theatre southern minstrels did to be advertised as the chief plantation sketches and sung southern attraction of what is held to be the melodies. A baseball game between principal park of our city." Watertown's team and the Aberdeen Red They feared that the park was Men stirred excitement at 3 p. m. becoming a degraded resort instead of Evening fireworks on Lake Minne-eho' s a place for wholesome recreation: island at 10:30 p. m. a wrestling "There is not a more dangerous and match in the ball park between unwholesome place for boys, girls and Ordemann and Turner, and pavilion young People to frequent than Wylie dancing concluded the evening. park until the dance hall nuisance shall be eliminated and clean WYLIE PARK: ABERDEEN' S PLAYGROUND environments obtain." PAVILION: 1911-1919 The protest of 1912 seems to have The dance pavilion's formal had little influence as public opening had been July 4, 1911 dancing grew in popularity. However, although pavilion dancing had taken some concern for an orderly place as early as saturday night May environment appears and provisions 18 with Wright's Harmony orchestra for chaperoned youth. Also the board providing the music. With the opening had authorized in April 1912 hiring of the dance season in June, 1912 the of a SPeCial policeman to be on duty Park Pavilion Company faced a moral at all times. challenge posed by Aberdeen The opening performance of ministers. Inspired by Rev. F. C. vaudeville troops on June 29, 1912 Berger's blunt words to a convention occurred in the dancing pavilion as of the Young People's Alliance about the big tent had arrived too late to

34 be erected for that initial per­ provided such dancing: "tripping the formance. Thereafter, the tent light fantastic toe will be the theatre provided music and acting for principal sport until a late hour". several weeks. Except for one advertisement The dancing season often began in saturday July 10, 1915 the newspapers mid or late May depending on weather. carried no publicity about pavilion In 1918 the opening dance began dancing in 1915. saturday May 18 to the music of This was the year when the street Wright's Harmony orchestra. In 1925 car c::orrpany was reorganizing due to the opening was on Kay 19. In 1930 financial problems & the year that s. the dance pavilion opened on Tuesday A. Anderson became superintendent of Kay 20 to the music of Joe Goodrich Parks. Advertised as the pavilion's and his 11 piece Merrymaker band "biggest public dance of the summer" , noted for their red hot syncopation. fans were urged to be there about 9 The municipal city band organized p.m. to hear a full orchestra in a in 1919 played short concerts pavilion that had been cleaned up and previous to servicing dances on extensively decorated. The pavilion Tuesday, Thursday and saturday nights also did not advertise in 1916 even at the new pavilion which opened in though the street car c::orrpany had 1919. purchased new cars and were urging The era of the first pavilion Aberdonians to use them to attend lasted into 1919. Newspaper baseball games, picnics, the bathing advertising for dance nights was beach and the cool waters of Lake minimal in the years 1913-1918. Minne-eho. In early July 1916 one Publicity called attention to the more streetcar was added to the dance of Thursday July 10, 1913 when regular service due to increased five youths entered the switch shanty popularity of the Park for picnic and and turned off the Park lights for a bathing purposes. "This affords an hour between ten and eleven. The opportunity of getting away for two press reported "At the pavilion Kr. or three hours of pleasure in the Keith secured a lantern by the light evening after a hot day in the city." of which he collected tickets for No mention of evening dancing. The each dance and lighted up the dance last streetcar left the Park at 9:30 floor. The orchestra dispensed p.m. Only automobile customers could familiar old songs which every member dance to midnight as in later years. )mew by heart and made a hit with Park board minutes and some of the renchtions of old popular Superintendent Anderson's report of airs." 1917 reveal the desire to remove the The Labor Day celebration of dance pavilion from the Park because Monday september 4, 1916 sponsored by it was "an eyesore and a menace to the Aberdeen Labor Union included the Park", "no source of revenue" and pavilion dancing aftenoon and evening "no good" aCCOlli>lished by its with the Klitz orchestra as did Labor presence. Day Monday september 3, 1917 which In August 1917 Anderson recorrrnended featured afternoon and evening rca large suitable pavilion" with a dancing until midnight. On Monday bandstand, a roof garden, a screened september 2, 1919 the new pavilion in refreshment Parlor and a dance was "crowded to capacity". floor 40 I by 50 ' which could be Some afternoon picnics continued converted to a cafe if circumstances into the evening and included warranted. pavilion dancing. The Rotary Club Minutes of Karch 8, 1918 picnic of Thursday July 26, 1917 authorized purchase of the dance hall

35 by the Kruger brothers for $500 and THE NEW PAVILION" 1919-1931 ice privileges for 1918 and 1919 with "WHERE ABERDEEN DANCES" ice to be taken from the lake at In June 1919 dancing occupied Wylie Park. three evenings a week--Tuesday, Jason Behan received the dance Thursday, Saturday-- with the hall concession for 1918. The park Aberdeen city band playng 45 minute board promised proper police concerts followed by dancing. Through protection at the pavilion. "Dance at Partition removal the enlarged older Wylie Tonight" became the advertising pavilion was in use until the opening slogan during the sUlllller and early in July 1919 of the new pavilion -­ fall of 1918. Because street car the present pavilion which was service was essential for Wylie Park involved in a fight for survival in attendance the park board paid the the later 1970s. streetcar company $30 a month for the Admission policy changed from summer of 1918, with $20 of that sum ticket collection on the dance floor to be paid out of dance hall and to ticket collection at the door. refreshment stand receipts and $10 Charles Cameron, entertainment out of bathhouse and boatng receipts. director, assserted that the 1919 In 1919 architects Henry and season would be poPularized as Fossum presented sketches of a "convenient rendezvous" for small proposed pavilion. Charles H. groups of chaperoned young PeOple to Cameron, pavilion manager through enjoy an evening of dancing. 1922, was offered his first pavilion On July 22, 1919 Cameron also concession contract in 1919 with 50% invited music lovers to visit the of the net proceeds of refreshment completed spectator's balcony, sit in and checking and 25% of net from the its new chairs some evening to listen dance area not to exceed $1500. as well as dance to the city band's Policing of Wylie from noon to 12 excellent music. midnight was authorized. The pavilion The Park Board had pumped $15,000 was not to be used for dances or into a new dance pavilion inaugu­ entertaiment which would profit rating a new era of public dancing as private parties. city approved recreation. "Rush Work Anderson's report of sept. I, 1919 on Park Pavilion" blared a Daily stated that with a new pavilion in American headline on Friday June 27, place there is "no further use for 1919. The "shimmie palace of the old pavilion or the women's rest Aberdeen" was taking shape as twenty building". The old dance floor should carpenters hammered "like an army of be moved north to the area bordering woodpeckers in a Brazilian forest". a new grove of trees and converted The side walls were being roofed. The into a picnic building or shelter. hard maple floor had not yet been The rest house should be moved to the placed. Its 70 x 90 foot surface, extreme west end of the grove and larger than Anderson's suggestion of used by male park employees. Once 1917, was to be planed and waxed to this was done walk and driveway "glass-like slOOOthness". A row of grading would take place around the windows marked the upper main walls new pavilion. In 1920 the drives with high ceilings and space for around the pavilion were completed. circulation of air. Road work-­ For moving the building Krugers were widening and grading--improved access offered a five year lease on a tract to the park. Park promotion urged of ice in Lake Minne-eho not to auto patrons to use 8th Ave. and exceed five acres. others to ride the street cars.

36 On July 4, 1919 the Daily American harmonies are the type of the latest headline announced "New Dance popular dance programs." Pavilion Ready at Wylie Park". This Declining attendance at neighbor­ $15,000 structure had spacious dance ing dance halls worked in Wylie's floors which seemed "like the smooth favor. Tacoma Park I s dance hall had side of a stmbearn" and was "clear of closed temporarily due to lack of all pillars". This modern structure enough dancers sometime after the boasted restrooms, refreshment booths tornadic winds of July 2. Dancing at and checking rooms. That opening day Armadale Park had been reduced to one streetcars serviced the Park from 2 night a week. Harvest occupied some p.m. to 12 midnight. This was to be dancers and hot whether discouraged "the biggest day Wylie Park has ever some at other dance halls. one dance seen". Refreshments were served in hall manager declared" "Young PeOple both the old and the new dance this summer are just hopping into pavilions. Post-opening reporting cars and driving anywhere. They seem assured Aberdonians that dances were to have lost nearly all interest in "run in an orderly marmer". dancing...they are driving instead of In 1920 the dance season began dancing and we cannot tell when they saturday May 1. In that year drives will switch back again." At Wylie, around the pavilion were completed. however, crowds increased. By July Howard C Bronson, director of the 1922 on Wylie's three dance nights Aberdeen City Band 1919-1923, visitors from 40 to 50 miles away reflected in August, 1920 on dance gathered at Wylie Pavilion to hear and music styles at the pavilion popular music from their balcony where his band played to huge crowds chairs or to actually dance. three nights a week: "I believe it is Pavilion rental rules for 1921 because of the beauty and pleasure of stressed no private gain by those dancing and the music composed for renting, maximum once-a-month rentals the dances that draws the crowds." He by anyone group, private use once a recalled that a dancing professor week only, and measures to prevent back east had asserted that dancers damage to the dance floor--no chairs learn to dance to promote their or benches to be dragged onto the marriage chances and after marriage floor. No unauthorized advertising they danced to keep young. was to be allowed. Meda Mason became Bronson believed that dancing was director of the dance floor in 1921 becoming more popular each year. He and in 1923 became pavilion manager. noted decline of jazz and wilder, She continued in that capacity more iImlOdest fads. In 1920 dances through 1926. had become "quite sedate, even the The street railway company rhythm of the fox trot changing to a announced in 1921 and in 1922 they slower time and filled with more were thinking of suspending service musical notes." Elaborating on the to Wylie and elsewhere in town. supposed "death" of jazz, he felt "no Amongst the protests was that of longer are the nerves of everyone Heinie Hanson in september 1921 who within range of hearing, shattered by exclaimed: "People who have no the loud crash of sYmbols and the automobiles want the street cars blare of drums and traps. The running so they can ride if they want saxophone has almost completely and we had better pay 15 cents to go ceased its moans .. Wind and stringed to Wylie Park in the summer to enjoy instruments are taking the place of ourselves than not to be able to go last year's popular instruments and at all...we who draw wages need the music filled with melodies and street cars." 37 In Jtme, 1922 the ~y reduced Henry J. Hoes was the contractor street car fare to 7.5 cents "for to build a new wing on the North and such time as the cars continue to SOuth sides of the pavilion. In 1927 rtm". On dance nights 20 minute the pavilion was reroofed, the floor service conmenced at 7:40 p. m. and redone and the stage enlarged as was the last car returned from the Park the seating area. The renovated band at an tmusually early hour 9 p.m. In shell improved musical sounds mid July,1922, perhaps as a reaction reverberating through the hall. to loss of street car service, the Refreshment stands were placed on pavilion offered three dance tickets each side of the stage according to for 25 cents in lieu of the 10 cents Hoes' daughter Shirley Hoes Vail. a dance policy previously followed. She wrote in the late 1970s: "Since After August 1 there were no many of the pilings had rotted out street cars to Wylie. This impacted replacements were made tmder the dance attendance which was "POOrest floor; it was leveled and a new maple of the season" according to manager dance floor was laid. I remember this Charles Cameron. Bus and automobiles work was done by hand sawing and brought those who attended. There­ nailing. (there was no such thing as after, the public relied on buses, electric saws, buffers, nailer, taxies and autos to visit Wylie park. sanders). When the floor was laid a Jerry Smith of City Bus service on power sander was used rtm by a small August 2, 1922 advertised service to gasoline IOOtor. My father did all the Wylie on Thursday and saturday nights sanding and I helPed him put on a from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 every SPeCial finish and wax after it was thirty minutes for 15 cents. For a completed. This finish had to be hand year in 1924 bus service was buffed with a heavy iron bristle discontinued but restUned in 1925. By buffer and this was hard and back 1927 a dance fan could board the breaking work. For dancing a Boric Wylie bus at Buttz Drug every half Acid Crystle &corn meal were used." hour beginning at 9 p. m. Also, By the mid 1920s local orchestras Yellow cab advertised 25 cents a provided the dance music and the city Passenger with minimum charge of band played for concerts only.Tickets $1.00 to Wylie Park. The automobile sold three for a quarter or ten cents age had truly arrived. each. Tuesday, Thursday and saturday As early as spring 1923 board evenngs were dance nights. A soft minutes recognized need for a drink concession serviced thirsty refreshment parlor addition to the dancers. Greater newspaper pavilion's south side. Bids were advertising appeared. "Where Aberdeen advertised for a new porch at the Dances" was a slogan frequently fOlmd pavilion's south end. in boxed ads. Three hours of dancing In 1927 an addition was added to from 9 p.m. to midnight marked the north side of the building. The Pavilion dancing as a late evening resulting larger dance floor was made event appealing to "night owl" types. possible by extending the pavilion Specialty dances frequently were northward at the expense of a featured. At Hard Time Dances women driveway along the north end. wore kitchen aprons and men overalls. Flooring was to be relOOved from the At Electric Doll Dances dolls on floor of the old Kruger dance hall August 28, 1930 lighted the dance and placed in the new pavilion. Any floor to the ttmes of "The Doll other lumber that could be salvaged Dance" and "The Wedding of the from the previously dismantled dance Painted Doll". Fox trot and waltz hall was recommended for use. contests were also popular.

38 The years 1925 through 1929 were LAKE MIMNB-EHO: profitable but less so during the ORIGINS: LAKE BED AND BEAaI 1929 to 1931. Dance receipts for the By August 1910 dredging had 1925 season through september 1 deepened the natural depression in totaled $7,059.75. Receipts for 1927 the acreage given to the city by the season of 55 dance nights from May 14 street railroad. The process had to Sept. 29 were $5830.60. The check begun of lining lake banks with room took in $115.70. Orchestra stone from the old Lincoln school. A costs, however, were $4420.00. This new well funneled water into that and other costs resulted in net lake bed and Lake Minne-Eho emerged. earning for 1927 of $23.48 for dance By 1917 there had evolved a and check room, $211. 27 for revenue-producing cOlli>lex featuring concessions and one rental at $15.00. swimming, boating and fishing with Net earnings for 1928 totaled bathing beach, diving platform and $1861.65 as $800 less was paid for springboards, bath house and locker orchestras than in 1927. system, guard house for sanitizing In 1929 the pavilion made a profit bathing suits, a coaster slide to of about $900.00 out of $7,208.10 in provide the big splash. As early as receipts during a dance season of 52 July 4, 1912 the lake's island served nights from Hay 11 to sept. 14. as a site to launch Fourth of July Orchestra salaries amounted to fireworks. $3850.50. Corri'ensation, also, had to be paid to checkers, ticket sellers, ACCESS ROADS gate keepers, a floor manager and Shoreline drives gradually police security. evolved to illi>rove access to the In 1930 the dance pavilion with a lake's bathing beach and dance dance season of 49 nights Hay 20 to pavilion. In 1919 SUpt. Anderson was sept. 13 took in $5,083.5 and check directed to widen the drive on the room $65.70. Orchestras received lake's west side. In 1920 the drives $3,666. The pavilion made a small around the pavilion were colli>leted; profit but unfavorable weather however, in 1927 the north drive was lessened attendance. In early summer terminated when the pavilion was evenings were too cold and later in extended on the north end. the season evenings were too hot for In December 1922 SUpt. Anderson ideal dancing. Also, a decline in supported a move to make the south business conditions impacted the shore road public property to be dance hall patronage. Receipts from maintained by the county. The county the dance hall and check room during offered to widen the grade and the dance season of 1931 from May 16 gravel the road on the south side of to september 12 totaled $3576.35. Lake Minne-eho and make it"a Orchestra salaries were $2594. splendid highway". Not until May The pavilion lost $108.58 while 1926 was the county construction, hosting 34 nights of dancing that which had begtm in the fall of 1925, year. These figures of 1929 through completed on the south shore lake 1931 help understand why the Park road to Wylie Park. Ready for all board welcomed dance hall management tyPes of traffic, this road provided by the American Legion for the 1932 a second route around the lake to season and why Legion supervison the Park. In addition county continued into the 1950s. construction and graveling on the

39 Eighth Ave. road a mile west and a The Sunday American of June 26 mile south from Wylie Park provided editorialized on "Make the Park Lake another good road to the park by a Friend". Lakes could make life 1926. happy rather than be a source of anxiety. Safety measures would make LAKES: BLESSING OR MENACE? "this little body of water a blessing In 1915 safety concerns were and a delight for the people of highlighted after the drowning of 14 Aberdeen. It is too small for much year old Frances Stablein in Lake successful boating, but it can be Minne-eho on June 25. Four girls develoPed into a resort for bathers waded along the shore when they ...This idea of the use of the lake stepped into a 12 foot hole. Three has not been made prominent in the youths rescued three of the girls but past, but between the park board and did not reach the fourth in time. the street railway it ought to be About an hour previously another boy featured as one of the pleasure spots who had develoPed craIli>S had been of the conmunity. Every boy and girl rescued. In 1914 a young farmer had in this city ought to learn to swim." been drowned. Swinming lessons and life saving The park board il1'Q;X>sed a tel1'Q;X>rary instruction became a fact of beach ban on lake swinlning until life in future years. lifeguards and designated safe areas From time to time the park board could be established. By July 1, 1915 had to reassure patrons that the lake the park board hired Carl Hanicker waters were not polluted as in 1917 life saver. Swi.nmers could once again when the board response to rumors dip into the waters from 1 pm. to was: "there is probably nearly a sunset and on SUndays from 10:30 a.m. million barrels of water in Lake to sunset. Mandatory wearing of Minne-eho and that if every soul in bathing suits was established. Aberdeen took a bath in a bath tub separate bathing areas were and then emptied the water into the designated for boys and girls. Girls lake the percentage of such bath were to use the northwest corner and water would be so infintesimal that the woman's rest room for dressing no one could fear any evil results". purPOses. The boys were assigned the In June 1919 the city health officer southern section and use of the men's reported that the strong odor from room for dressing. lake water was due to algae growth but was not poisonous if swallowed by LAKE HINNE-EHO: DOCK & DIVING swimmers. In order to clean the lake of bullheads and improve bass fishing the park board authorized a week's hook and line fishing in Lake Minne­ eho on Monday July 14, 1917 and repeated that for a week in August. Bass were to be thrown back if caught. one day's limit for each fishermail was set at 25 bullheads. To protect swimmers from flying hooks no fishing was allowed in the safety zone near the bathhouse. One lady during bullhead week sensed a fishy smell on the streetcar and discovered two passengers carrying strings of

40 bullheads. Bullhead week was again distance swinlning competitions for promoted in June 1919. By June 1928 older swinmers began: men and women's the bass had reproduced to the point 20 and 40 yard dashes with an extra the lake was overcrowded and a 50 and 100 yard dash for men. The fishing season was established for program also included demonstration bass fishing by those 16 and under and fancy high diving from ten oak with a limit of 5 fish per person. spring boards rounted on the new only bank fishing with pole, hook and diving platform which extended 175 line was permitted. Some 500 youths feet into the lake. At 9 p.m. long applied for permits testifying to the distance swinmers raced about 750 delights of Lake Minne-eho. yards from the lake island to the boat landing raft. '1'HB BIG SPLASH: In 1927 the Aberdeen Y.M. C.A. OOATING & SWDIfING CONTESTS sponsored what was called an annual While the lake's surface was not Wylie Park swimming contest. Age geared for boating activities found categories were those under 15, 15 to on larger lakes, boat races and 17 year olds and those 17 and over. water carnivals were held. The Exhibition numbers between re9Ular first recorded boat races occurred contests were: pillow fights, plain on July 4, 1913 after the baseball and fancy diving stunts, and a life game. The Park board provided the saving deronstration. Girls' and boats and cash prizes of $1.00 and boys I divisions in re9Ular events 50 cents for first and second prizes included varied swinming distances respectively. and many styles of diving. The Park Entry was free. Row boats each board joined in sponsoring c~t­ carrying one Passenger plus the itive water sports on July 4, 1928. oarsman competed in races segregated Age, weight and sex classifications by sex and maturity (girls and governed the contests which encom­ women, boys and men). Boat races Passed swinlning, diving and life were included in Labor Day saving competitions using the celebrations such as that of 1916. SChaefer method of resuscitation. Fishing rules of July 1917 permitted fishing from boats in SPeCific areas YO! DO! while anglers in 1928 were required FOR MINNE-Ja)! to fish from lake banks only. BATHING BEACH & BATH HOUSE However, the swinming and diving By 1917 Wylie Park bathing and competitions during water carnival eating facilities filled "a long time in 1919 and 1920 garnered more felt want". At the new refreshment press attention. In the afternoon stand a light lunch might be and evening of August 1, 1919 the secured. Furtherrore, a rore first water carnival enlivened the permanent bath hOuse was builtin swil11'lling season. Sponsored by the 1917 with lumber from Thompson Yards Park board, children's events began and forty eight new lockers were at 2 p.m and concluded about 4 placed in the bath house. A new p.m.--ten, twenty and thirty yard ventilating system was placed in the dashes along with distance and guard house where bathing suits and spring board diving. Relatives and towels were sanitized. SWimmers friends watched from their cars utilized a new diving pier and along the beach. The city band springboards in 1917. Improvements as provided 45 minutes concerts for of June 18, 1917 arounted to $863.98. both afternoon and evening events. A water safety zone was designated At 7:00 p.m. short and long and roped. 41 WYLIE BATH HOUSE to be remedied in 1923. The high lumber prices of 1923 deferred a reconmended bathhouse extension for IOOre men's dressing rooms. In 1925 workers erected a tobaggon slide which cost about $1000. It proved to be very popular for a time but the novelty wore off later in the season. Cold weather in June and July of 1926 contributed to a decline in attendance and usage of the slide. In 1927 a 25 foot dock extension to the regular dock doubled the dock space for swinmers. Lake bottom and beach maintenance required frequent loads of sand on The Bath House manager supervised the beach; gravel and sand placed on numerous personnel and varied duties winter ice sank to the lake bottom associated with beach and bath house with spring melt. maintenance. To assure swiRllling On one hot SUnday in 1926 the safety lifeguards were needed and bathhouse took in $130.00 from five safety zones established. The 90 bath cent admissions, suit and towel towels and 294 bathing suits of 1918 rentals and locker use. several and locker keys were distributed by thousand are estimated to have Bath House employees. An inventory crowded the beach on hot days. valuation in the January 8, 1918 park Receipts for use of the bath house board minutes assessed the bath house was the best in 1925 when from June at $2000. Bath house hours in that 7 to september 1 bathers spent year were 11:00 a.m. through 9:30 $2290.92. Receipts fell in 1927 p.m. with a noon closure from 12:00 when maintenance costs of $1552.23 to 1:30 p.m. were more than receipts of $1111.20 A permanent coaster slide was giving a net loss of $441. 03. The introduced to the bathing beach in net loss for 1928 was $208.41 with 1919. Located near the shore, receipts $1314.430. In 1929 the net swimmers climbed to its 10 foot high loss was minimal at $33.84 followed apex and slid 14 and 1/2 feet by a deficit of $130 in 1930 when downward into the the water creating gross receipts were $1279.80. the big splash. The diving platform of 1921 was LAKE AND ICE HOUSE valued at $650.00 but it had to be In the winter of 1918-19 the Park replaced as a result of the tornadic board experimented with a Granary bin winds of July 2, 1921. Improvements full of ice which helped reduce of 1922 were a new diving platform concession expenses that summer. placed within the safety zone and two However, the ice supply proved to be oak diving boards. In 1922 the diving inadequate. Therefore, Superintendent platform separated two sections of Anderson reconmended a larger ice the beach. The west side was well house be erected for the winter of covered with sand and gravel out to 1919-20 at the Park's west end. The a depth of five feet; the east side, board contracted with Ira Kruger in reserved more for men, saw little use 1919 for a five year lease on a tract and had little gravel, a deficiency of ice not to exceed 5 acres in 42 return for moving the old pavillion Total income for 1928 was $948.35 but building. This ice shed was valued at maintenance costs were $1138.91. $200 on Jan. 1/1930. Players in 1929 numbered 6015. Receipts were $1128.85/ expenses WYLIE GOLF COURSE $1/092 .16 with net earnings of In 1925 a municipal golf course $36.69. at Wylie Park emerged as a result of In 1930 the golf course earned a preparations made in the fall of profit of $52.57 during an adverse 1924. The idea had surfaced as early season. Golfers continued to pay 15 as September 1920 but at that time cents each. Total receipts from the had been rejected based on the 6/283 golfers were $1/108.45. feeling that the country club golf Maintenance costs were $1/055.45. course satisfied demand. A golf Compared to activities at Lake Minne­ professional from the Minneapolis eho, the dance pavilion, the picnic Recreation Department made sug­ grounds and the neighboring baseball gestions for the Wylie course. In park across from the lake / the golf August 1925 the course opened free course received little press of charge until August 22 when the publicity. fee was ten cents a round. Improvements in 1925 amounted to PLAY BALL! $1/017.58. Anderson reported at the THE MINNE-EHO BALL PARK end of 1925 the course was often The Kruger brothers/ active in "taxed to capacity" / that further the ice business as well as other eXPansion was needed-bunkers and enterprises, operated a private sand traps and more trees to develop enterprise ball park established in hazards which added variety to the 1912 across from Lake Minne-eho. The barren links. game between Aberdeen Red Men and In 1926 lx>ard members discussed Watertown was one of the features of enlargement of the 9 hole course to July 4th, 1912 at Wylie Park. 18 holes. More ground would have to Lively contests on the Wylie Park be cultivated but adverse weather ballgrounds occurred over the years: delayed the effort. The lx>ard Park board minutes provide little purchased 6500 pounds of grass seed information as the ball Park was not but sowed only 10 out of 70 acres. In under their supervision. Newspapers 1926 thousands of players visited the provide insight through advertise­ course bringing in receipts of ments and descriptions of game $4803.43. Charges per round were results. Heavy spring rains might raised to 20 cents. Week ends impede road access to the ball attracted large crowds. One Sunday grounds as in August 1915 when 325 paid admission creating managment felt that "baseball bugs congestion and some grumbling about would have to go to the game in improper golf etiquette. The 1928 boats". budget alloted $1749.58 for the golf The ball Park hosted other course. Net earnings for 1927 at the exciting sports such as afternoon Wylie golf course revealed a loss of auto polo in 1915 and 1916. Publicity $270.31. Cost of maintaining the announced: "To watch them is like course was $1379.86. looking at an auto wreck happening The course suffered a loss of every minute". For 50 cent admission $190.56 in 1928. In that year 4966 the Aberdeen Auto Club offered "Motor players paid 15 cents each. Other Insanity" and arranged for special sources of income were sale of tennis street car service to these dare balls and tees and club rentals. devil displays. 43 Grandstand behavior prior to 1922 enclosed on three sides with a roof allowed freedom of seating once gate 14 x 6 -feet. Winterizing the bird fees were paid. Restless youngsters house was a concern in fall 1917. roamed grandstand bleachers inter­ Animals had to be shifted to winter fering with adult concentration on quarters, a stove set up in the bird the game. In 1922 an experimental house, hay hauled for deer, horses plan began. Young boys were admitted and buffalos. In 1918, 1919 and 1920 free but were under careful the zoo barn was valued at $300, the observation. Misbehavior resulted in wolf house at $525 the bird house at ejection. Unattended boys were barred $1200, the buffalo shed at $75 and from the field. As a protection from the Granary at $700. In 1922 $2000 curious and energetic boys the was budgeted for a new barn. By 1922 grandstands had been wired off in better animal quarters were needed as order to "protect them from falling cleaning had worn down the tin lining pop bottles and to disband the noisy around the animal house. The bird games that formerly played underneath house of this era was eventually the stands to the distraction of the replaced in 1945 by the bird house fans." By May 1916 the grandstand of currently anchoring the southern 1912 showed wear and tear. New section of the park. netting stretched across the front of Many birds homed in Wylie trees. In the stands as one improvement. In May June 1919 the Daily News noted 1922 there emerged an enlarged blackbirds, robbins, woodpeckers, grandstand in which 2000 people in wrens, king birds, thrushes had shaded seats viewed the game with attracted attention through song and Sioux Falls. movement. These birds seemed fearless Even though the ballpark was not as they winged their way among the under park board supervision, ball­ trees and hopPed about on the grass park events became associated in the within a few feet of picnikners. Also minds of area residents as part of English sparrows and king birds Wylie Park's variety of amusements. scrapped with each other to the entertainment of park visitors. WYLIE ZOO: Wildlife listed in the zoo BIRD & ANIMAL SANCTUARY inventory for 1929 were five buffalo, However, the zoo with its barn, one elk, one bear, four monkeys, one animal house, duck pond, elk's shed, badger, one blue heron, two American wolf den, buffalo shed, granary of eagles, 3 horned owls, 2 coyotes, 9 1915 and bird house were attractions chinese pheasants, 18 wild ducks, 2 within the park boundaries and often wild geese, 3 crows, 14 spotted visited by picnickers.Park personnel pigeons, 10 brown pigeons, 8 tan showed concerns over injury and death pigeons, 28 white pigeons, 1 fox and of zoo animals and occasionally 2 rabbits. Their total assessed injury to humans. In November 25, value was $1105. The zoo's presence 1916 an elk bull accidentally gored and the natural bird life dwelling in and killed a four-year adult cow the trees added to the enjoYment of a while feeding. A coyote died in picnic at the park. October 1917. A monkey injured Jacob Gese during feeding on Nov. 6, 1916. WYLIE AS PICNIC PARK Improvements of 1917 were Like Melgaard, Wylie became a construction of a duck pond and major picnic park. It had space, a exhibition pens. In November 1917 the balance of shade and open spaces and board instructed Superintendent a variety of amusements to entertain Anderson to build a buffalo shed picnickers. 44 1914 PICNIC OF N.N.I.S. students disembarked and immediately ate a breakfast of wiener-wursts, sandwiches, cookies, coffee and bananas. OUtdoor sports activities followed. There were seParate faculty men's and ladies races, three legged races, throwing contests, nail driving and rowing. One student fell in the lake, a conversational topic to spice up stories of that year I s Wylie venture. They returned to the Normal in time for a CaJIi>US baseball game between Ellendale and Northern. On June I, 1914 once again students heard the call "All aboard for the school picnic", paid their dime and rode the "rattlers", a NORHALITES: student synonym for streetcars. RIDING THE RATTLER & Before breakfast and forming the HITTING THE BREAD LINE bread line, some wandered about the Northern Normal and Industrial Park, along the shores of Lake Minne­ School developed close associations eho. several junior girls found with Wylie as at Melgaard. Wylie themselves adrift in a boat. several Park was located a longer distance athletes chose to rescue them at the from the college, but the streetcar risk of being late for breakfast. All terminal, located at the gates of returned in time to hear the call Northern, encouraged student trips "fall in line and help yourselves". to town and northward to Wylie Park. ParticiPants recalled "hitting the Perhaps that distance and the line" twice or even three times to streetcar (1911-22) or automobile weedle " just one more sandwich or ride to Wylie made a picnic seem another cookie". There followed a fat more adventuresome and more in man I s race, hoop race, ball throwing communion with a natural sanctuary contest and swimming race. Most away from city heat and daily boarded the rattlers to return to the routine. Normal but a few paired up and drifted away on their own. MORNING PICNICS: In 1915 300 attended the annual BRlW8titive sports to picnic morning. one last such picnic prove the superiority of Juniors and when travel by streetcar was possible seniors in the eyes of underclassmen occured on Monday June 6, 1921 during as well as themselves. Scheduled commencement week when almost 250 were thirty minutes of tennis for graduates and upper classmen with both boys and girls but golf for visitors boarded the cars to engage boys only. Both boys and girls in the usual Northern activities at a engaged in three inning baseball for Wylie frolic. forty-five minutes. Three legged 46 relay races for boys and horse shoe meeting attracted over 800 persons contests occupied those not involved many of whom openly accepted in baseball as these activities were conversion. Families from six states scheduled for the same time period. camped on the grounds in order to Featured highlights were the race attend meetings three times daily: around the lake by junior and senior 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. boys at 3: 30, a tug of war by two 15 Catholics as well as protestants man teams at 4 p. m. and the seven picnicked at the park. The Knights of minute color fight at 4:30 p.m. with Columbus on Monday August 15, 1921 35 men supposedly on each side. utilized street car service, viewed a However, Parents of only 25 signed ball game at 4 p.m., shared their permit cards for such activity. basket lunches at 6 p.m. &at 8 p.m. Also, weather permitting, fifty yard danced to the music of a 10 piece dashes in swimming were planned for orchestra. On Monday June 26 1922 both boys and girls. they invited out of town folks as Central High's Field Day for 1929 well as in town people for a get­ Friday afternoon May 17 included time acquainted picnic. Street car service for autographing the "Arrow" yearbook was provided between 1:45 p.m. and 12 as well as group contests covering midnight. Swinming and boating at 5 baseball, tennis, golf, horse-shoes, p.m. followed 4 p.m. baseball. After and racing. Featured again were tug the 6: 30 lunch of ham and wieners, of war, a running race around the cake and ice cream games and boy lake and the color fight. New was the scout 'drill began at 7:30 p.m. with "fliver race". An evening picnic dancing beginning at 8: 30 p. m. to lunch climaxed the event. conclude the evening. '

CHURCH PICNICS & CAMP MEETINGS I'NOT A DULL MOMENT! II Church groups and Sunday schools FRATERNAL FROLICS spent picnic time at Wylie every Fraternal groups and service year. During the street car era they clubs also picnicked at Wylie. The often used that means of trans­ Moose annual picnic of Sunday June portation. They often began at mid or 26, 1921 brought 150 members and late afternoon with picnic supper in their families for a program of the evening. Working fathers were sports, foot races, quoit contest urged to join their families after and a 5:00 p.m. lunch. The Shriners work. Families usually brought their on Thursday August 22, 1929 had a own lunch baskets. Numbers ranged "Big outing" in which there were from nearly 100 children at the varied golf cOlJi)etitions on the 9 Salvation Army picnic of June 1915 hole Wylie course. Abilities in and the 150 Christian Church putting, distance and accuracy were picnickers of August 26, 1915 to the tested. Boys and girls in age groups 450 Methodists who came by auto and under 10 and 10 to 15 competed in 50 streetcar on Friday July 27, 1917. and 100 yard dashes and three legged Because of increased reliance on auto races. After picnic dinner pavilion transportation, the Methodists, in dancing occupied many adults. There order to secure street car service, was "not a dull moment" for the offered free ice cream and lemonade Rotary club when about 75 members only to street car passengers. sampled the lake waters, played In June 1913 even a Holiness camp games, ate and danced in July, 1917. meeting was held. One Sunday night's

47 CHILDREN'S REWARD WYLIE: THE QUEST FOR SPACE AND SHADE On Sat. July 28, 1928 the PTA hosted. about 100 boys and girls who Wylie I S reputation as a picnic had participated. in the 6 city play­ park with its zoo animals and bird ground programs to a picnic ending sanctuary, its bathing facilities, the playground recreation season. the neighboring Kruger baseball park, Leaving from their respective its dance pavilion, concession playgrounds by auto at 10 a. m., the stands, its tree and shrub nursery children played. ball in the forenoon, since 1916, its spacious lawns and raced. and swam after a noon picnic. shade as well as the playground Instructed. to bring their own suits apparatus appealed to children, and towels, they were admitted. to the teenagers and adults who probably beach free of charge. agreed. that Wylie Park had earned. the right to flaunt its publicity slogans LAOORERS' REWARD: ESCAPE '1'0 WYLIE as "Aberdeen's Playground" and "Where Labor Day picnics were occasions Aberdeen Dances." for large numbers of workers and Behind the scenes decisions of their families to visit Wylie. All Park board and city council members day and evening street car service and the daily, landscaping and was arranged. in 1917, 1918 and 1919. maintenance work of Park personnel In addition to ball games, speakers made possible this spacious "beauty on labor issues were featured. spot" and helPed. mould the heritage Balloon ascensions and double para­ which has blossomed. into the chute drops were featured. in 1916 and magnificent Wylie Park of the 1990s. 1917. Cash and clothing prizes were Aberdeen and its neighbors in awarded. for varied competitions: 50 Parkland I s foundation years and into yard dashes for girls under 15 and the 1990's sought shade and space to 100 yard dashes for, boys under 15. relax from everyday cares and to Men participated in three legged. celebrate special occasions. In 1995 races. Three bicycle races with an this shady lane at Wylie exemplifies intervening tug of war between North that quest for shade and space which and South side men occurred. after was part of the Parkland Heritage 4:30 p.m. Men over 18 vied. for prizes bestowed upon the present generation. in the high jump. Potato races and races for married. men only were SHADY LANE AT WYLIE PARK IN 1995 available as were slow motorcycle races and swimming races for ladies and men over 16. Prizes were offered. for the largest family. The Klitz orchestra played in the dance pavilion. The programs of other years were similar except on Mon. September 2, 1918 a cold wind caused. post­ ponement of a water carnival; however, in the evening the dance pavilion was "crowded to capacity". Wylie park offered. more space for large group picnics than Melgaard; yet, at least on one occasion in June 1919, the Baptists scheduled. a picnic at Melgaard Park "to avoid the anticipated. congestion at Wylie". 48 WYLIE PARK PLAQUE ALDRICH PARK PLAQUE HONORING JAMES H. WYLIE HONORING CITY MULES

MELGAARD ROAD IN 1995 WYLIE PARK PAVILION S'l'ORYBX>K LAND AT WYLIE PARK Ilf 1995

PUBLISHED BY ABERDEEN/BROWN COUNTY LANDMARKS CDlfiSSION FOR FREE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION 1995 RECOGNITIONS

The publication of this booklet has been financea with Federal funds from the National Park service, Department of the Interior through the South Dakota State Historical Preservation Center. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect -the views or policies of the Department ofthe , Interior, nor does the mention of trade names or camnercial products constitute endorsement or reC9l'flD8ndation by the Department of the Interior.

This program receives Federal financial assistance from the National Park service. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilites Act of 1990 the U. S. Department of Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire IOOre information, please write to the Office for Equal Opporttmity, U. S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

Funding and in-kind support from the city of Aberdeen and Brown County has also contributed to the research, pOOto reproductions and publication of this booklet. Park board minutes, park maps and scrapbook of park activities in the 1930s were also helpful in supplementing the Landmark ConInission's newspaper research in the Alexander Mitchell Library microfilm collection. Daryl webb, graduate student at St. Cloud State University, also spent the sunmer of 1994 -locating articles about Aberdeen parks in early newspapers stored at Brown County's Dacotah Prairie Museum. Recognition is extended to artist Joanne Brock for her schematic drawing of Melgaard Park, to Tara LanDnt for her sketch of the Aldrich Park bandstand, to the Dacotah Prairie Museum for reproductions from their photo files and to the Northem state University photo lab for additional photo reproductions from Northern's newspaper the Exponent, the pasque yearbook and early school bulletins which had pictures of students and their relationship with Melgaard and Wylie parks.

Dr. Art Buntin, chair of the Aberdeen/ Brown County Landmarks Conmission, takes full responsibility for the narrative, interpretations, and format of this booklet along with any inaccuracies that might surface in a work of this magnitude. Readers who have corrections or additional stories and pictures of parks and their patrons please notify the Aberdeen/ Brown County Landmarks Commission, Box 1420, Aberdeen, SD 57402-1420. MELGAARD PARK 1995 L "'Tt4 AVE.. S.c.

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