Washington's Contribution to Western Springs

In 1923, 100 citizens of Western Springs voted to create a Park District. While the new Park Board immediately tried to purchase 12 acres of what is now the northeast corner of Spring Rock Park, the owners fought the sale in court.

The courts eventually ruled in the village’s favor, but it took until 1931. And, while the District was not short of ideas, more than half of its available funds had to go toward the land purchase.

To make matters worse, the country had slipped into the Great Depression. Things were so bad that even the local schools were hard pressed to meet their payrolls.

Fortunately, the federal government was trying to put people back to work. And, after reviewing a request from the Park District, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Washington approved a $29,000 grant. This was the economic stimulus program of its day.

Since the District had already drawn plans for the new park, work began almost immediately. An estimated 35 men were hired, including laborers, carpenters, masons, and supervisory foremen.

The resulting projects included the large, 32’ x 17’ shelter house (see photo), as well as a rest room building, both of which are still in use today. The project also included the removal of black top soil from peat bogs in the area to use in constructing the grassy knolls around the shelter house.

The WPA also constructed many sidewalks in the Village, many of which still exist and carry the “WPA” logo.

Photo: Spring Rock Park picnic shelter - 2015

Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or just click on the author’s name shown above.