Lafayette Park Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Near concrete sidewalk. Camouflaged micro (3 by 1/2). Handicapped accessible.
LAFAYETTE PARK
Missouri and Lafayette
Ordinance Date: 1838
29.95 Acres
City Commons - Ordinance 2741
Lake - 1 Acre of Water
STATUES:
Thomas Hart Benton Statue
Revolutionary War Cannons
George Washington Statue
1 Comfort Station
1 Playground
1 Residence (Police Station)
1 Softball Field
1 Soccer Field
1 Football field
1 Volleyball court
History:
Lafayette Park is one of St. Louis' oldest parks. In 1836, an ordinance preserved the lands (29.95 acres) for public use as a park but it was 15 years before the park became a reality. The land was acquired as a result of the foresight of Mayor John F. Darby and Colonel Thornton Grimsley who realized the need for a place of recreation in the area. Its first use was for the drilling of Grimsley's "Home Guard" and the site came to be popularly called the "Parade Ground," but to cynical citizens it was known as "Grimsley's Folly." No money was appropriated for the improvements, since the ordinance was not to take effect until private citizens had contributed $5,000 to enclose and plant the square. More than $8,000 was soon collected and early in 1852 the board set seriously to work. Their first objective was to construct "a rough paling fence" to enclose the park and keep out stray cattle, hogs and runaway horses, so that trees and shrubs could be planted.
In 1857, the park was leased to a Superintendent Edward C. Krausnick, who built a cottage and was responsible for maintenance and surveillance. Most of the early improvements in the park were made through the efforts of nearby property owners; however, the city appropriated $2,000 in 1857, followed by a like amount the next year. Public use of the park was expanded in 1859, beginning in January with a concert in the park's new Winter Garden by the orchestra of Wood's Theater.
Many large, beautiful homes were built around the park and it began to rival Lucas Place as a civic showplace before the Civil War. The war caused a partial cessation in the park's improvement although more than $14,000 was spent for that purpose in 1863. Among the most important innovations of the year 1864 was the decision to employ a professional superintendent, M. G. Kern at a salary set at $1,000 a year. Comfort stations did not appear until 1865 and then bore the name of "water closets". During 1867, summer concerts began. A bandstand was built and a series of weekly programs was presented during June. On May 27, 1868, 40,000 persons witnessed the unveiling of Harriet Hosmer's statue of Thomas H. Benton in the park. In 1869, a bronze copy of Houdon's statue of George Washington was dedicated and the decorative fence around the park was installed from plans by Francis Tunica, winner of a competition for its design. Much of the work was done through bond issues authorized by action of the Legislature during the latter part of the 1860s. A police station was built in the southeast corner of the park about 1870.
The park was destroyed by a tornado that swept over that portion of the city on May 27, 1896. Boats were blown out of the water, some landing 200 feet from the lake. Restoration started almost immediately.
While the park was considerably restored by 1904, it did not retain its former glory. As the city grew outward, some neighborhood residents moved elsewhere and newer, larger parks attracted public attention. It reached a low point during World War II, when vigorous efforts were required to keep its ornamental fence out of the scrap metal drive. Another sad event was the demolition of its post-tornado bandstand in 1951. Since the mid-1960s, the park has become the focal point for an extensive program which has resulted in the restoration and preservation of many of the fine old homes abutting the park and in its vicinity.
The cannons, which are a unique feature of the park, are probably the most interesting relics found in any city west of the Mississippi. The guns were part of a British warship that bombarded Ft. Moultire in Charleston Harbor in June, 1776 during the Revolutionary War. The guns were placed in the park by the Missouri Commendry of the American Legion. It is interesting to note that the Park was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), a French statesman who served as a volunteer under General George Washington in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
It would help if you sing or hum Glen Frey song. 'Cause you belong to the city
You belong to the night
Livin' in a river of darkness
Beneath the neon lights You were born in the city
Concrete under your feet
It's in your moves, it's in your blood
You're a man of the streets
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Naxyr uvtu.
Treasures
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