Culver Town Park 1950-1959  

1950, Jun 14 - Der Sirs:

Isn't there some way or some means by wich the town park could be mowed and provisions made for keeping the lawn trimmed?

It was a discrace to the community last summer and it now appeara that ir will be mowed and cleaned as little as possible this summer.

Speaking of mowing isn't it possible to keep terraces and vacant lots mowed?

Also what became of the idea of plantng and caring for flower beds in the park, which I believe your paper suggested?

All of these things are very important to our small town.

While flower, trimming isn't it possible to keep terraces are important.

I for one will settle for a thorough lawn trimming of the town park at reasonable intervals and putting out the piers on time. With respect to the piers do your suppose they will be put in before the summer is over?

I note that the town has recently purchasrf a power mower, but there is little evidence of its use.

If money or budget limitations prevents this necessary activity, some of us I know would be willing to raise sufficient funds to see that this chore is taken care of.

If necessary I feel that enough interested persons could be secred to take care of the project.

COme July for the budget hearing let's all go down and request that an item be place in for keeping the lawn mowed.

Plese don't think that I am critizing anyone or any official

All that i want is to have a simple and necessary job done.

Sincerely, A Citizen Subscriber.

1950 - Jul 19 - Irate Citizens Make Compaints To Town Board

... promiscuous drinking in the town park on Sunday's and holidays, parking and several related problems were included in the protests brought by a large group of town taxpayers who gathered to air their grievances before the regular meeting of the Town Board on Monday evening...

In Other business the board was asked to consoider an additional appropriation in the 1951 budget now being prepared to provide for better maintenance of the Town Park

The request brought forth several suggestions to cope with the increasing cost and problems of Park management. One taxpayer suggested that the Town Park be placed under the stewardship of a Park Board, members of which would be elected to serve without pay.

another taxpayer stated that if possible a charge, particularly on Saturday and Sunday and holidays, should be made for the privilege of using the Park.

The lack of toilet facilities, and the parking problem were discussed/

It was also suggested that all concessionnaires should be assessed a fee.

The possiblility of involing one-way parking on Forest Place, Liberty Street and State Street were aired.

1951 - Aug 8 - Thoughtful Citizens Spray Town Park

Mosquitos have been bade this summer but they might have been worse praticularly in the Culver Town Park last week had it not been for the thoughtfulness and generosity if a few local citizens.

Carl Heiser used his equipment to spray the park and the Osborn Seed and Equipment COmpany furnished the spray.

On another occasion Culver Military Academy sprayed the entire park area.

1952 - April 23 - Repair of Town Park swimming pier and erection of a high dive approved by the board of Directors of th e Culver Lions Club

1952 - Apr. 9 - Plan Town Park Improvement; Seek Civic Group Aid

In a move to more effectively plan for the improvement of the town park, the town, board of trustees has assigned the project to board member, J. T. Stinchcomb.

Plans have already been outlined by stinchcomb for the improvement and to beautify the town park.

The prooject also includes several long range aspects in improving and replacing equipment.

From the viewpoint of beautifing the prk, Mr. Stinchcomb is seeking the cooperation of civic groups to sponsor flower beds and to care for them.
The Culver City Club
the American Legion
the V.F.W. and
the Home Economiccs Club
have already expressed an interest in this phase of the work for this summer.

"We also are considering improvement of the swimming pier, and the erection of a high dive, and an improved lighting system", Stinchcomb stated.

An outline of the plans include painting the trim of the Beaach Lodge and the repair and purchase of furniture.

1952 - Apr 9 - M. R. Robinson Speaks to Culver City Club,... During the business session, the club made plans to sponsor a flower bed at the town park fot the summer....

1952 - Apr 23 Plan Swimming Poer Repair; To Erect High Dive At Beach

Repair of the Town Park swimming pier and the erection of a high dive has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Culver Lions Club it was announced last Friday night.

The project is in keeping with the immediate and log range plans for the improvement as outlined by J. T. Stinchcomb, town board member who has bee assigned to the Park.

The cost of the project is expected to be approcimately $200 in addition to the help given by volunteer Lions workers.

Stinchcomb previously had announced that severl other civic and service oroganizations had accepted an invitiation to plant and care for flower beds in the Park.

Appearing before the Lions directors he outlined plans and details for better care of the Park and for a long range rehabilitation program.

1952 - May 7 - The Town Park by J. T. Stinchcomb

The purpose of this column is to keep the community informed of the needs of the Town Park and what is being down to meet the needs.

Flower beds have beed assigned as follows:
one near the railroad station to the Veterans of Foroeign Wars,br>
north of the Beach Lodge to the American Legion;

between these will be two circular plots, the one nearest the lake to the Home Economics Culb, and the on nearest the station to the Culver City Club.


Each organisation will plant and keep the beds in shape from year to year. If other organizations desire to have a flower bed arrangemets can be made for them. A small bed not yet assigned, is available now.

Special Appeal

This evening, Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30 we plan to build three new horses, two sections of pier and the high dive section. We was going to need LOTS OF HELP. Bring your hammer and hand saw. All this is dependent on the weather.

Teddy Weifer is making a survey of damage to the roofs of the two shelters. They are in need of repair.

Most of the sections of swimming pier are out. It is hoped that the pier will be soon be ready for use.

Incidenty we will need new piers before long. WOuld like to have some metal horses before next year. What can be done is dependent on help. - both physical and financial.

The Culver Lions Club donated $200 for pier materials. The STate Exchange Bank indicate they will duplicate the donation of the American Legion. The Legion is thinking of using some of the profits from the recent carnival.

Mikes's crew have been busy cleaning up the park grounds and placing the benches.

Cehif Burns' crew of volunteer fireman removing the neched from the top of the Railroad station recently.

If present plans for park improvement are carred out our young people could show their apprecitaion in the future by not playing pranks on the park. Consideration should be give to damage done to the roof of the station.

The new sun bathing pier placed near the beach loadge will be an added attraction for swimmers.

The white trim on the Beach Lodge is being painted.

The following men of the community have given help: Tom Walker, Capt. Rich, Fred Adams, in service.

We are grateful to Frank and Eddie Amond for their efforts in getting the pier out on time; also to Bud Craft for the loan of equipment and invaluable suggesstions.

More money and help are meeded unless we depend on tacx money.

If you coan't find time to help, perhaps you can send a small check to J. T. Stinchcomb to help defray the expenses of needed material. An accounting of all contributions and expenditures will be published in the Culver Citizen. It's better to give financial support to good efforts than it is to compain about what should be done. For the information of those who frequent the swimming pier and the Beach Lodge arrangements are being made to repair hickory furniure made... a heating unit is being installed on the first floor of the Lodge to take care of the dampness... new swimming baskets are being Carl Adams, Louis Hurt, Bob Taylor, Red Serin a and numerous bystanders who have been pressed purchased... Bill Washburn is giving the interior walls of the Lodge first floor new decorations, prepraratory to the opening date May 30th.

Of course the park is the responsibility of the Town Board of Culve, but its use is exctended considerably beyond the limits of the town. Help to extend the beauty and usefulness should come from those who see need. We can make it mre beautiful and useful if help is forthcoming.

Some projexcts for the future are:
(1) Better lighting facilities. Installation of light poles the length of the park and the use of boulevard lights. At present the wiring is attached to the trees a very unsatisfactory system. Lester Brown is helping with these plans

(2) Larger swimming pier with provisions for an enclosed area for youngsters.

(3) replacement of much of the present pier; and

(4) the erection of a new res room located near the center of the park with permanent caretaker and maintained largely by pay toilets.


Appreciation is exended to the fire department for their past efforts in trimming trees in the park and for sprinkling the lawns during the dry season. We hope they will continue these practices

We are grateful to Frank Amond for building eight large benches and presenting them to the park

We may be able to megotiate with the Pennsylvania Railroad for the use of part of the station building. They are considering the possiblities.

1952 - May 14 - The Town Park - by J. T. Stinchcomb

The Home Economics Club got the jump on other organizations by putting out their flower bed Monday despite the rain.

Culver Military Academy gave a large slide tower. Part will be used for a deck for the high dive and the rest for a guard tower. Ralph Osborn Jr. used his equipment trailer to transport it to the Beach Lodge with the help of Bill Washburn and sons, Red Sering, Verl McFeely, Dick Bowles, Bud Craft, Jim Little and Bob Lindvall

The park has been cleaned and mowed.

The swimming pier is almost complete. Members of the Lions Club will try to complete the pier and high dive Friday evening. If any others would like to help, please come down at 6:30 p.m. Bring saw and hammer.

Mr. and Mrs. Rex Mawhorter felt the urge to help by generously sending a check for $5.00.

Teddy Weiger made the survey on the condition of the roof of the upper shelter and found it in bad shape. A new roof is necessar together with the replacement of many rotten roof boards. Teddy agreed to replace the bad boards and a new roof 56 feet by 18 feet for $75. Reasonable estimate on the bog was $125. A mighty fine gesture on the part of Teddy. He has been given the go signal.

The last flower bed has been requasted by the Maxinkuckee Junior Women's club. Mrs. Carl Lucas pledge to see that the bed would be planted.

1952 - May 21 - The Town Park by J. T. Stinchcomb

The purpose of this colun is to keep the communiyt informed of the needs of the Town Park and what is being done to meet the needs.

The outside trim of the Beach Lodge has been completely given two coats of white paint and screens painted black. Its appearance is greatly improved. Credit for a jood job goes to Kack Kowatch and helpers.

The American Legion gace $50.00 for improvement of the swimming pier.

The Vertrans of Foreign Wars have been working on their flower bed. If present plans work out they will have a very attractive plot.

Picnic tables need some repair and upkeep, especially for safety purposes. SOme citizens feel there should be a charge for use of the table on Sunday when many outsiders are using the park. Others feel that the park should be free from any charge. One citizen offered to give $5.00 for repair and felt that others might fo the same.

DOn't hesitate to express your opinion one way or the other that we can carry out the wishes of the commmunity.

Frank and Eddie Amond have been working on the pier despite the bad weather. The weather has ruined three attempts to get groups of volunteers on the job.

John McCarty has installed new chains on the upper set of the childrens swings. The old ones were worn dangerously thin.

1952 - May 28 - - The Town Park - by J. T. Stinchcomb

The purpose of this colun is to keep the communiyt informed of the needs of the Town Park and what is being done to meet the needs.

Despite the bad rainy weather Frank Amond is going to have the swimming pier in shape. He has put in lots of effort to see thar the job is done. Fire Cheif Dave Burns, and his men helped to level the piers by putting water pressure at the feet of the pier horses.

A new springboard has been ordered for the high dive. Depth of water limited to height of high dive to eight feet.

PLans are already made to revamp the construction of much of the pier this winter. Its present width of 9 feet make it very heavy job of installation. More sun bathing sections and nerrower pier will solve the problem.

The state Exchange Bank came to our rescue with a check of $75. Present contributions will pay the lumber bill for the newer additions.

The past weeks weather has not been favorable to much flower bed work. The American Legion plans call for considerable work on the plot north of the Beach Lodge. A stone wall about 18 inches high next to the concrete walk will raise the back side of this bed so that the flowers can be seen f rom the road to beddter advantage.

Now that the lodge will open on Decoration day it is hoped that those who ise the facilities both inside and outside will give consideration to these items:
1 Help in keeping the place clean opf scrape paper (waste containers are avaiable).
2 Make the place more wholesome by cleaner speech
3 Maintain proper respect for the beach guard, with regard to rules of conduct on the pier and in the water
4 See tgat dogs are kept way from the bathing beach. This is an urgent request.
5 Give assistance in the protection of all the property of the park.


Parent of the community should see that children receives instruction of the above items, and plan to visit the park more often to see that it is a decent and safe place to have fun.

Those in charge will appreciate your help.

1952 - Jun 4 - ... Meeting of Maxinkuckee Jr. Women's Club... Final plans were made for the planting og the flower b ed at the town park...

1952 - Aug 6 - This isn't Atlantic City, Miami Beach or the Riviera it happens to be the Culver Town Park beach. While it was take a couple of Sunday's ago it could have been taken on a holiday or week end during the present summer season. Hot humid weather has brought record crowds to the beach and to the town park each Sunday.
	A typical Culver street scene picturing the volume of traffic and parking problem is shown here by this photo taken on a recent Sunday showing Lake Shore Drive east from near the Pennsylvania station. On one Sunday this summer a check showed that 1700 out of town cars were parked on Culver streets near the town park.

1952 - June 25 - Legion Committtee Works of Projects...John O'Conner, assisted by Russell Fisher, have prepared the large flower garden in the Town Park for planting; a ggod start on the setting out of place was made Tuesday by Chairmain O'Conner, Russell FIsher, H. A. Boblett and H. A. Obenauf.

1956 - Culver Town Park Ready for Summer

The Beach Lodge, located in the Town Park, is scheduled to open for the season on Memorial Day and again this year will be opereated by William Washburn.

The park is also ready for the summer season with sprued up tablesand benches and a newly mowed lawn.

The only item lacking is a lifequard for the beach

Anyone interested in securing this postion is asked to contact Jesse Sims, phone Culver 93

1952 - Aug 12 - A Real Park Helps to Provide Character for Small Town, U. S. A.

Aurther G. Hughes

...

Sucha a park has become increasingly in evidence on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee in a small town named Culver.

Here, particularly in the last year or so, pride in this town asset hag been most apparent.

Colorful flower beds maintained by such organizations as the American Legion Auxiliary, the Home Economics Club, the Culver City Club, and O'Connor's Greenhouse; a dozen new tables and twice that number of new benches; swimming and sun bathing piers, diving towers; a large floating raft; a lake shore lighting system, and a life guard and caretaker who seem really interested in serving the thousands of people who flock to the park the year round - - most of these improvements are recent, welcome additions that help make Culver a unique Indiana small town.

Added to existing facilities such as swings and teeterboards, a cement basketball court, ovens, etc., they have resulted in a park with character of which the entire Maxinkuckee community should be proud.

Whoever has been back of the improvements deserves congratulations

1953 - Jan 28 - Lions Vote $1,000 For Town Park Improvement

Announcement was made this week that the Lions Club Board of Directors have set aside a fund of $1,000 for improvement of the Culver Town Park

wilfred Craft, chairman, and members of the civic and community betterment committee will study needs and present recommendations to the Board for approval.

The budgeted funds represent proceeds from the 1952 Maxinkuckee Regatta

1953 - Jun 10 - Lions Notice - All members of the Lions CLub who can lend assistance are urged by CHairman Jesse Overmyer to meet late this afternoon at the Town Parl to start work on the installation of the piers.

1953 - June 17 - Improvements In Town Park Being Made By Groups.

The Culver Town Park is a busy place these days as the rushing summer season brings townspeople and visitors from far and near to the beach and to the spacious pocnoc area.

To make it more attractive and usable for those who use the lakeside park, severa; organizations and many individuals are cooperating in some notable improvements.

Buring the past week members of the Culver Lions CLub installed two new sections to the sun-bathers pier, a most popular innovation since the original two section pier was constructed by the Lions CLub some time ago.

The Club is also sponsoring the reconstruction of the huge ski-jump to be used as a flat floating island near the beach.

Wilfred Craft, who is in charge of the work, stated this weel that the Osborn Seedf and Equipment Compnay had idicated that the would contibute 9 barrels on which the former ski-jump will rest.

The Lions CLub have placec 24 new benches in the park and they have ordered a new slide and 10 new tables. Funds for this prooject came from the ptoceeds of the 1952 Maxinkuckee Outboard Regatta

The town is placing eight loads of sand on the beach and three local organizations have flower be projects. The Culver-Union Township Home Economics CLub is sponsoring a flower be and their plans call for resowing the spot in mid-summer so that fall flowers will brighten the area. The Culver cioty CLub and the AMerican Legion Auxiliary are also sponsoring and caring for flower beds in the park.

Perhaps one of the most far reaching projects is the installation of a new lighting system in the park. New poles have already been place and wire will soon be strung to provide better lighting for the entire lenght of the park.

1953 - Nov 11 - Home Economics Club... The club voted to buy tulip bulbs for its flower bed in the town park...

1955 - Apr 20 - Clean-Up Week Scheduled For May 9 to May 14 - ...It was also stated that in keeping with the movement that trees in the Town Park would be trimmed. Thre Tree trimming project is to start this weekend. Thousand of visitors use the park during the summer months.

1955 - May 4 - C of C Sets the Stage For Annual Clean-up Week

...

It was reported that the rees in the Town Park were receiving attention for the first time in 14 yeats under the supervision of O. T. Smith...

Raymond J. Ives Jr., school principal, reported that the high school students had recently cleaned the Town Park and that entire student body will be on the job in connection with nextweek's annual celan-up campaign...

1956 - June 6 - Kenneth Plantz Is New Lifeguard At The Public Beach

The Town Board, after their meeting Monday evening, announced that Kenneth Plantz of Culver has been secured as lifeguard at the public beach in the Town Park

The new lifequard will be on duty Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Members of the Town Board wish to stress the fact that there will be no lifequard on Monday.

Mr. Plabtz is a senior at Butler University and has had training for his work through the Red Cross.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Plantz of CUlver.

1958 - In March of 1958, 14 coal cars derailed in the park area and it took most of the spring and early summer to clean up.
From sometime in the 1950's till the late 1960's Bill and Margaret Washburn ran the beach lodge and park every year. And an Italian born gentleman know as "819_e_shore_angelo/angelo.htm" target=new>Angelo Cifaldi (he lived on at 306 South main in a little brown house on the southeast corner of Main and Marmont) maintained the park grounds and collected the table fees during the weekends.

Some time during the 1950's the Lions Club started their annual Corn Roast on Saturday night in July, in the area between the depot and the pavilion. Also at the time on Sunday they sponsored a boat race which was discontinued.

The corn roast has survived - the corn is hand shucked; boiled in a large iron kettle over an open flame; beverage and hamburgers grilled out in the open and all the condiments to go on the hamburgers. Another tradition gone is the scrumptious hand spun cotton candy manned for years by Jesse Overmyer - for the kids, young and old alike!

Also another tradition in the spring of the year is the "Easter Egg Hunt" that they sponsor for the children using the park as the hunting ground

1958 - May 28 - Town Board To Charge for Use of Park Tables

Due to increase expense of upkeep of the Town Park and to the fact that its use on Sundays and holidays is mainly by non-residents, the Culver Town Board has decided to make a $1 charge per table for use of tables in the Town Park on Sundays and holidays only. No choarge will be made for tables on other days.

1959 - March 18 Junior woman's Club plans to erect a bicycle rack at the school Which will be moved each summer to the town park.

1959 - June 10 - Junniot Women's Club Will Erect Bicyle Rack - ... Maxinkuckee Junior Women's Club, requested to place a bicycle rack at the school during the winter months. This rack would be moved to the Park in the summer by the town employees. The Junior Woman's Club was also intrested in placing a children's slide at the west end of the Town Park and replacing or repairing the water slide at the public beach...

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