Logan County IL Archives History - Books .....Parks 1953 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 31, 2007, 12:41 am Book Title: A History Of Atlanta THE ATLANTA MEMORIAL PARK DISTRICT The Atlanta Memorial Park District comprises all of Atlanta township and approximately the eastern half of Eminence township, an aggregate of forty-four full sections. It was established by the voters of those communities for the purpose of providing a means of maintainance for the Atlanta-Eminence Community Memorial building. At the same time and at the same voting places a governing board consisting of five commissioners was elected. They were Mrs. Harold Wiseman, Frank D. Hoblit, Dr. R. L. Ijams of Atlanta township, and Mrs. Murrel Miller and Barrett F. Rogers of Eminence township. At their organization meeting they elected as president Frank D. Hoblit, to whose efforts, more than those of any other one individual, the project owes its existence. A tax rate of not to exceed eighty percent of one mill per dollar of the property valuation is levied to provide the means by which the building and surroundings are maintained and operated. The formation of the park district and the establishment of the Community house was the outgrowth of a long-felt need for a gathering place and recreational center for the town and surrounding community. The decision to provide such a place and dedicate it as a lasting memorial to the soldiers of World Wars I and II brought about the wholehearted support of practically everyone. A fund of $1700 had been raised by popular subscription during World War II to build some sort of a memorial, but was not immediately used for that purpose. Returning soldiers asked that it be put to some practical use; and so the idea of a community Memorial center was born. A fund of $5,503 was contributed by the now defunct Murphy Hall association. The Atlanta Woman's Club turned over their building fund of more than $1500. Smaller contributions from other civic organizations, and very generous ones from individuals brought the building fund up to $21,000. With this amount the board was able to buy the commodious and well situated Patton residence. It was restored and remodelled to fit the necessities of the community. On the main floor of the house there are a good sized auditorium, an attractive parlor, ladies' lounge and a well equipped kitchen. In the wide hall, occupying the place of honor, is a Memorial plaque on which is inscribed the names of all service personnel who went from Atlanta and vicinity. There are 173 names for the first war and 283 for the second. Eighteen are marked with gold stars. On the second floor are the care-takers' quarters, the Legion room and the Girl Scout rooms. The basement has recreation rooms and equipment. In winter months recreation directors have been employed. The Boy Scouts have their quarters in the second story of the garage at the rear of the building. Here are also rest rooms which serve the park. The grounds surrounding these buildings are artistically landscaped. The Atlanta Park which adjoins was deeded to the Park District on Oct. 1, 1947 and has since been administered and maintained as a part of the Community building set-up. The Atlanta-Eminence Community Memorial building was turned over to the public on Nov. 1, 1947. Governor Lester C. Hunt of Wyoming, a former Atlanta boy, gave the dedicatory address. The Community Center has now been in operation for five years, and has fulfilled the hopes of its instigators. It serves well the whole community. It is the home of the American Legion and its Auxiliary, the Woman's Club, the Junior Woman's Club, the Rotary Club, the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts. The Atlanta and Eminence Home Bureaus meet there when they desire, as do all other civic organizations. They may have the use of the ..building free of cost, after making proper arrangements with the caretakers. Private parties are charged, a small fee. The first secretary of the Park Board was E. B. Ransdell; James Ash has served continuously as treasurer. THE ATLANTA PUBLIC PARK The Atlanta Public Park is a part of the city of Atlanta as originally platted by its founders, Richard Gill and A. W. Morgan. It is one whole block lying between Race and Vine, and Seventh and Eighth Streets. It was apparently a gift from the founders of the young town to the citizens of Atlanta. An issue of the Logan County Forum, June 19, 1856 contains an account of a "mite society," newly formed, "having as its object the important purpose of improving and decorating the city park, and carrying out other such projects as the society might see fit to sponsor." The officers elected were, President A. W. Morgan, Vice president Geo. L. Parker, Secretary S. D. Fisher, Treasurer Jeff L. Dunegan; the board of Trustees, A. N. Dills, A. K. Martin, R. H. Killen. A committee of ten ladies, Mrs. G. L. Parker, Mrs. John Pallady, Mrs. G. M. Angell, Mrs. A. K. Martin, Mrs. J. H. Ball, Mrs. S. D. Fisher, Misses Belle Tenney, L. Randolph, J. Leonard, and J. Allen, was named "to attend to financial matters." Membership fee for the ladies was fifty cents and one dollar for the men. Fifty names were enrolled at the first meeting and many more were subsequently added. The editor of the Forum, S. B. Dugger comments: "Since the only objection to our town that any one can have is that it is out on the open prairie with no trees to protect it," the mite society should "purchase and set out trees on each side of every street in town, commencing on one side with one kind of tree, and plant them from one end to the other; and another street with another kind and at the corner of each plant a good-sized poplar." Since many of the large maple and elm trees along our streets and those in the park appear to be nearing the century mark, it seems fair to assume that his suggestion was adopted. If the "good-sized poplars" were planted, they have long since passed into oblivion. Although the trees grew well, the' park often suffered neglect, and was unkempt and weed-grown. Because of the ample facilities for large public gatherings, furnished by the Atlanta Fair grounds, the park was not often so used. In the days when chautauquas flourished, the tent was pitched in the park and the citizens enjoyed the entertainment furnished by the Lyceum bureaus. An early band-stand, a small wooden structure, graced the park until the late nineties. In the spring of 1940 a substantial brick and concrete bandstand was constructed. It was dedicated on the Fourth of July, the last Fourth of July celebration that has been held in Atlanta. The city of Atlanta deeded the park to the Park District on October 1, 1947. Since that time its affairs have been administered by the Park Board. The care-taker of the Community House cares for and polices the park. It has become a very pleasant and popular place. Many picnics and family reunions are held there. A play-ground and tennis court furnish recreation for children and teen-agers. In the fall the American Legion holds its annual Homecoming festivities there. Additional Comments: Extracted from: A HISTORY OF ATLANTA 1853-1953 Prepared by Citizens of Atlanta As a Part of the Observance of the Centennial, June 11,12 and 13,1953 THE PUBLICATION IS SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA WOMAN'S CLUB Atlanta, Illinois 1953 Published By The Stewart - Pinks Publishing Co. Atlanta, Illinois File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/logan/history/1953/ahistory/parks66gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 7.9 Kb