The History of Lincoln Park In 1870, William Belk and his wife Margaret homesteaded the land which included a grove of oak trees along the banks of the oak creek. In the summer of 1882, Col. W. C. Whitney made arrangements to lease the land, which had become known as Belk’s Grove, and make it available as “a public pleasure resort.” The land was cleared of brush and otherwise made ready for the first annual 4th of July celebration. Col. Whitney chose the name Lincoln Park in honor of Abraham Lincoln. The following summer (June 5th and 6th, 1883) over 300 soldiers attended the “Grand Reunion of Veteran Soldiers and Sailors of Northwest Kansas.” However, talk of using the grounds for an annual Chautauqua did not begin until 1896. The Ministerial Association of the Methodist Church organized “The Beloit District Camp Meeting Association” that year and applied for a state Charter. In 1897 and 1898, the association held camp meetings at Lincoln Park which were conducted on the plan of the Ottawa Chautauqua. On August 9th to 16th, 1899, the first Epworth League Assembly was presented at Lincoln Park which was then followed by the local camp meeting. The Assembly charged admission to its events to defray the cost of procuring noted speakers and lecturers. The regular camp meeting followed and relied on local volunteers and local talent. The success of the first Assembly and camp meeting was greatly surpassed the following year when the program was extended to 10 days and over $1,800 of expenses were easily covered by the admission receipts. The attendance swelled in 1901 when William Jennings Bryan spoke on “A Conquering Nation” and added a decidedly political tone to the event. Governor Stanley spoke the following day and respected the religious precepts of the Assembly. In 1902 the first moving pictures were shown which included “The Passion Play.” A gasoline engine was procured to pump water for the estimated 3,000 campers. In 1903, the Belks agreed to sell 30 acres, at $100.00 per acre, to the Lincoln Park Association to ensure the future of the park as a public gathering place. Payment was spread over three years and the Association sold lots for camping and stock in the organization to raise the necessary funds. With clear title to the land, permanent improvements could be made to the park. The Lincoln Park Chautauqua was created to provide a sanctuary for worship, education, rest, recreation and amusement. It was conceived as an intellectual gathering place for the exchange of ideas and talents. One could hear a noted evangelist, listen to lectures on religious, scientific, humanitarian and practical themes; learn to draw, paint, or use water colors, weave baskets or create ceramics; sing in a choir, hear band concerts or listen to a virtuoso soloist; play basketball or tennis, or participate in the regional baseball championship; see a magician or a moving picture. The park had trails for hiking, a suspension bridge and a fountain that spouted water 23 feet into the air. The creek was dammed up and a sternwheeler boated 40 passengers a mile upstream and back for 25c. 1906 was another milestone year. Booker T. Washington was the featured speaker. The W. C. T. U. building was dedicated as the “Lillian Stevens Hall.” Two story porches on three sides of the building were added the following year. For attendance, 1907 was the banner year with an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 attendees. The Federation of Women’s Clubs dedicated their Rest Cottage that year too. Baths at the Cottage cost 25c. With the completion of the Cawker City Electric Light and Power Company, 100 lights were installed in 1908 to illuminate the campsite. In 1910, photography classes were added to the program. Information provided courtesy of the Cawker City Hesperian Historical Society. All rights reserved. The automobile was gaining in popularity as the preferred means of transportation as early as 1909 when it became increasingly difficult to find someone to operate the feed barn at the park. 7 to 10 cars were used by a group of 40 to 50 people, divided into four teams, to make a day’s journey to the surrounding communities to advertise the Lincoln Park Chautauqua by distributing thousands of circulars and window cards. 4,000 program booklets were distributed as well. The success of the Lincoln Park Chautauqua ultimately led to its demise. In 1910, the International Lyceum Bureau decided to establish three competing “Chautauquas” within the draw of Lincoln Park. A further blow was dealt the following year, when a flash flood along Oak Creek temporarily interrupted the scheduled Chautauqua program. The ensuing confusion scarred off traveling campers who were given false information about the condition of the park and were told that the remaining programs had been canceled. Attendance slumped in 1912 too. The end of the Lincoln Park Chautauqua came in 1913 when an interest payment on the mortgage was late. The land was sold at public auction but was bought by G. W. Dockstader for $2,050. Mr. Dockstader proceeded to give the park to the trustees of a newly formed association of protestant churches from the 8 surrounding counties: Phillips, Rooks, Smith, Osborne, Jewell, Mitchell, Republic, and Cloud. The Lincoln Park Religious and Educational Association coordinated an annual assembly at the park the following year. Attendance was modest and no further assemblies materialized. However, the park was maintained over the years for public use. During WW II, it was used as a place to house detained German prisoners of war. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts used the park frequently over the ensuing years. About 1966, the park was acquired by the State of Kansas as part of the proposed Waconda Lake Reservoir. Waconda Springs and the pioneer history of the Solomon Valley were bulldozed into oblivion as construction began on Glen Elder Dam. Dedicated in June, 1970, the waters of Waconda Lake did not reach Lincoln Park. The final indignity occurred in 1993 with the great floods along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Water was held back that year, and for the first time since its construction, water was released from the spillway near Glen Elder. The legendary old oak trees of Lincoln Park were submerged in several feet of water for weeks on end. Not a single tree survived the inundation. The Cawker City Hesperian Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:22:02 +0000
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