Ravine Park

Location: Ravine Park Boulevard at E. Jackson Street entrance to Ravine Park, Attica (Fountain County, Indiana)

Installed: 2003 Indiana Historical Bureau and Historic Landmarks of Fountain County

ID# : 23.2003.1

Text

Side one:

American Indians frequented this area, rich in natural resources. The ravine provided water from natural springs, marl for lime, and clay for bricks for nineteenth-century residents of Attica, platted 1825. City became owner of ravine 1906 when local business and professional men organized to donate fifty-five acres for a public park.

Side two:

City purchased thirty-five additional acres 1911, adding to eastern end. Park has served as center for social and recreational activities. Attica Chautauqua entertained many here 1907-1928. Donations, grants, and volunteers over the years have added swimming pool, nature trail, bridges, and other structures improving park as community asset.

Keywords

American Indian/Native American, Nature and Natural Disasters

Annotated Text

American Indians frequented this area, rich in natural resources.(1) The ravine provided water from natural springs, marl for lime, and clay for bricks for nineteenth-century residents of Attica, platted 1825.(2) City became owner of ravine 1906 when local business and professional men organized to donate fifty-five acres for a public park.(3)

City purchased thirty-five additional acres 1911, adding to eastern end.(4) Park has served as center for social and recreational activities.(5) Attica Chautauqua entertained many here 1907-1928.(6) Donations, grants, and volunteers over the years have added swimming pool, nature trail, bridges, and other structures improving park as community asset.(7)

Notes:

(1) Rick Jones, State Archaeologist of Indiana, conversation October 29, 2002; Indiana: The Influence of the Indian upon Its History (map), Publication No. 122, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, (Indianapolis, revised 1968.)

(2) Lela Bauerband, The Story of Ravine Park, Attica, Indiana, booklet ([Attica, Indiana], 1988), 2, 3; copy of plat of Attica recorded at Montgomery County, March 19, 1825.

(3) Copy of Ravine Park Addition plat recorded at Fountain County, September 13, 1906.

(4) Fountain Warren Democrat, September 28, 1911.

(5) Bauerband, 5, 6.

(6) Bauerband, 4.

(7) Bauerband, 5, 7; Fountain County Neighbor, October 27, 1999.