Robison Park, 1896-1919

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Robison Park, 1396-191'

ROBISON PARK

1896 - 1919

Second Edition

By Roy M. Bates

■8

Second Edition

By Roy M. Bates

Reprinted with the

special permission

of the

Allen County - Fort Wayne

Historical Society

Prepared by the Staff of the
Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County

1964

Board of Trustees of the Public Library
of Fort Wayne and Allen County

Charles Slater, President

Allan J. Tremper, Vice-President
Phillip Sanborn, Secretary

Arthur J. Meyer, Treasurer
Mrs. Richard E. Buirley
Leslie S. Fry

Mrs. Mark Knoblauch

Public Library Board
for Allen County

The members of this board include the members of the above board
(with the same officers) together with the following citizens chosen
from Allen County outside the corporate city of Fort Wayne.

Mrs. Frank Dulin
James E. Graham

Gerald W . Morsches

Mrs. Charles Reynolds

Alteft Co4*«ty Public Library

9O0 Webster Street

PO Box 2270

Fort ihrrm. IN 4gS01-2270

INTRODUCTION

ROBISON PARK

1896- 1919
By Roy M. Bates

The author has been asked to write a brief historical narrative of Robison Park.
That shrine of pleasure seekers served the people of Fort Wayne and vicinity from
the years 1896 until 1919.

Created during the gay nineties, the park assumed the spirit of the period and
retained this carefree and Riviera character throughout almost a quarter of a
century of existence, which was contemporary with the rise and fall of that great
electric railway empire, that was built up largely in Indiana and adjacent Mid-
western States. The park was always under the control of the street railway system
of the City of Fort Wayne, which from time to time was subjected to reorganiza-
tions and changes of ownership so characteristic of this lush and vehement period.

Robison Park was situated seven miles north of Fort Wayne in the west por-
tion of section No. 8 of St. Joseph Township, Allen County, on the west bank of
the St. Joseph River and a short distance to the east of the Fort Wayne and Leo
gravel pike (now state roads No. 1 and No. 427). Here some heavily wooded
lands and a large horseshoe shaped bend in the river combined to create a most
scenic area. A short distance below this site, a seventeen-foot dam impounded
the river waters for many miles up stream.

The original dam was erected at this point in the river in June, 1834, for
the purpose of creating a water supply for the Wabash and Erie Canal under con-

struction at the time and whose route traversed the business portion of the City of
Fort Wayne. The water thus impounded was conveyed to the main canal at Fort
Wayne by means of a feeder canal, whose egress from the river was immediately
above the dam and continued for about eight miles to the city. The dam which
was always referred to as "The Feeder Dam" was two hundred thirty feet long
and constructed of heavy timbers and debris and anchored to stone filled cribs.
A guard lock was constructed in the canal a short distance from the river to prevent
flood waters from overflowing the banks of the main canal. Incidently, this
dam was at the highest point on the entire Wabash and Erie Canal system.

Shortly after incorporation of the Fort Wayne Consolidated Railway Com-
pany in 1895, the management became interested in establishing an amusement
park for Fort Wayne and this site on the St. Joseph River was selected. They
were influenced in their choice by the scenic attractions of the area and the boating
that would be made possible because of the existence of this large dam. And it
was anticipated that the principal source of revenue to the company would be de-
rived from the transportation of park patrons from Fort Wayne over a proposed
seven mile, double track electric railway line.

Through the efforts of M. Stanley Robison, the first manager of the park,
and who was succeeded by Charles H. Williams, the park developed into one of
the most popular recreation centers in the Mid-West. All types of amusements
and attractions were enjoyed here by the public. Boating on the river became very
popular, with a large outlay of rowboats and power launches. A steamboat
made frequent trips up the river. Sculling and various types of boat races were
popular. Along the river north of the park were many cottages and club-houses
which were readily reached by boat from near the car line terminal at the park.

The park always had a well-groomed look with its beautiful lawns and well-
graveled and trimmed walks. Flower gardens and shrubbery were profuse, con-
cessions and buildings always seemed freshly painted, and with flags flying, a
carnival air prevailed. The picnic areas and forested sections added a rustic touch
to the landscape. A day's outing here was a restful and relaxing experience; and
it was with regret that the park's existence was terminated in 1919.

A DREAM MATERIALIZES

Fort Wayne's first electric street railway cars began operation in the year
1892, upon formation of the Fort Wayne Electric Railway Company. Prior to
this time, horse cars were the principal means of public transportation in the city.
Electric railway companies were generally short-lived and the Fort Wayne Electrie
Railway Company was no exception, for, on November 20, 1895, after com-
plete reorganization, articles of incorporation were filed with the Secretary of
State of Indiana for the Fort Wayne Consolidated Railway Company which then
assumed operation of the street railway system.

The management of this newly-formed company lost no time in making plans
for an amusement park at the site previously mentioned on the St. Joseph River.
They immediately purchased two hundred sixty-five acres from the Swift family
who were owners of the proposed park site. The development program involving
almost $300,000 was approved. Plans for the intended buildings and concessions
were placed on public display and the name Swift Park was decided upon.

By December 27, contracts for the construction of the seven mile double-track
electric line were awarded to the M. J. Degnon Construction Company of Cleve-
land, Ohio. Additional contracts for power equipment and material and for

open-type summer cars were let. Work began on the contracts at once; and the
feverish program for completion of the project by the following June was in full
swing.

Additional land was acquired in January, 1896, when the street railway com-
pany purchased the Charles Kroemer farm adjacent to the Swift farm. It was the
management's intentions to convert this area into a lake as one of the Swift Park
attractions.

The spring of 1896 found construction of the electric line being pushed to
the utmost. Some labor problems developed when charges were made against the
Degnon Company of importing laborers to work on the right-of-way. These dif-
ficulties were soon overcome and by May 18 most of the grading was completed
and six miles of rail were placed. New cars for use on the line began arriving
in March, and a new type ticket for use on the lines in the city was issued which
bore a picture of the large pavilion then under construction at the park.

As time for the opening of the park drew near, citizens of Fort Wayne became
quite impatient to see the development and taste the pleasures which it would
afford. On opening day, the few attractions available were the huge pavilion
with its dancing accommodations and cafe, numerous boating facilities, and a large
grove of many acres, with swings, comfortable seats, pretty little pavilions and
summer houses and accommodations for picnic parties. Much of the park de-
velopment was accomplished after the formal opening.

The first car to operate over the completed right-of-way was car No. 109
which left the city on May 30th with a party cf newspaper men and prominent
citizens of Fort Wayne, who at the invitation of the street railway company
went out to christen the park. Their praise of the new development was reflected
in the newspaper stories of that day.

It was the intention of the management to throw the park open to the public
on Sunday, June 7, 1896, but an unforseen accident delayed the opening until
Saturday, June 13th, when the first regular car service began. Starting at 9:00
A.M. and continuing throughout the day cars were run on a ten-minute schedule
and not a car left the city that was not filled. In the afternoon, the throng of ex-
cursionists grew larger. Toward evening, hundreds took passage to the park to
enjoy the place by night.

At 6:30 P.M., a special car left downtown with the following invited guests:
John H. Bass M. V. Walsh F. S. Lumbard

M. Stanley Robison A. F. Glutting A. W. Seasbrease, Jr.

R. J. Fisher John T. Dougal R. H. Carnahan

C. W. Edsall J. M. Barrett O. P. Kemp (Watertown, S. D.)

Dr. W. W. Mungen Harry Harrison N. R. Lombard

F. M. Smith Herman Hormel Anselm Fuelber

P. F. Smith, Jr. Gus Muhler Louis Heilbroner

Byron Hattersley Frank Mohr Ed. Muhler

W. W. Rockhill John Bass, Jr. R. B. Hanna

Ross McCulloch E. H. Olds Charles B. Muhler

Harry M. Metzger H. C. Rockhill Charles Hitzeman

The car reached the grounds at 7:15 and the party was taken on a tour of
the park grounds. A banquet was then served to the group by Fred Foerster and
Harry Buhlen, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, who had been selected by the man-
agement to operate its restaurant located in the main pavilion. These men were
then taken for a trip up the river and back on the new steamer "Clementina."

The date set for the grand opening of the park was July 4th, although the
intervening period was interspersed with banquets, excursions and special events,
all of which were part of a protracted dedicatory period. Several very special out-
door attractions were arranged for those next few weeks. The Zorella family of
aerialists was engaged to entertain the public for one week starting June 14. They
were the best aerialists obtainable and they gave afternoon and evening perform-
ances. At night their apparatus was illuminated by electricity. The following
week the chief attraction was the Leroy Sisters (Victoria and Sadie) and Professor
S. L. Hibbard, advertised as America's favorite aeronauts. They made balloon
ascensions each afternoon consisting of a race between their two large balloons
named the Victoria and Excelsior. On Wednesday night, the ascension was
illuminated.

Several accidents occured during the week. On one occasion. Miss Victoria
and Hibbard left the earth together and sailed away side by side. The balloons
were so ballasted that when the parachute was cut away the balloon would turn
over letting the smoke and gas escape and allowing the balloon to fall close to the
parachute. When Miss Leroy cut away her parachute her balloon was directly
beneath that of Hibbard's and the smoke, hot air and gas completely enveloped
the man and rendered him almost unconscious. He miraculously managed to cling
to the trapeze until the descent was made; shortly afterward he revived. Miss
Leroy fell among the branches of a tree some distance from the park. A rope
was thrown to her which parted as she was beginning her descent from the tree;
she fell to the ground and was picked up unconscious but not badly injured. Miss
Leroy was killed a short time afterward at the St. Louis County Fair being held
at Dwyer Station, Missouri, when she fell a distance of 2500 feet before a horrified
audience of 10,000 people.

CHANGE IN NAME

The following announcement was made by the Consolidated Railway Company
on June 29:

"By reason of the many requests from the citizens of Fort Wayne that the
name of Swift Park be changed to Robison Park, the Board of Directors of this
company in deference to such requests have this 29th day of June, 1896, decided
to change the name to Robison Park by which name it will be hereafter known."

The park was renamed for M. Stanley Robison who had been a leader in the
movement to create it, and who became its first general manager. He was regarded
highly by his associates and the public. From the foregoing it will be noted that
the change in name occurred between the time the park was given over to the
public and its formal opening.

THE FORMAL OPENING

The largest crowd ever assembled at one place in Northern Indiana up to
this time congregated at Robison Park on July 4th, resulting from the extensive
publicity given the grand opening which was combined with the celebration of
Independence Day. The chief event of the day was a public wedding witnessed
by thousands of people at the band stand. No better account of the day's cele-
bration could be found than a newspaper article in the Fort Wayne Sentinel, from
which we quote:

"The biggest celebration of the day, of course, was at Robison Park where

35,000 people had gathered. It was by long odds the largest crowd ever gotten
together in one place in Northern Indiana and no words can express adequate
praise of the manner in which they were taken care of. To handle such an
enormous throng would test the capacity of the biggest line of street railway in
America, and outside of the largest cities accommodating such a number would be
out of the question. The transportation facilities afforded were the best. The
crowd was taken to and from the park with ease. Cars were run two minutes
apart all afternoon and evening, and some times oftener, when the jam of human-
ity became too great.

"There were various forms of amusement at the park and lovers of sport of
whatever nature were satisfied. There were boat races, tub races, and other aquatic
events on the river besides baseball games both afternoon and evening. "Philion"
the wonderful equilibrist gave an exhibition that thrilled, while it delighted the
watching thousands. The great event of the day, however, was the wedding and
the space about the platform which had been erected for the ceremony, was
crowded long before the hour appointed.

"At 4.00 o'clock promptly Cassa's orchestra began the soft strains of Men-
delssohn's Wedding March and Rutherford B. Wilson and Miss Lillie Fink walked
through the shady grove into the band stand on the high bank looking over the
river and bayou. Here the Reverend M. C. Cooper* was in waiting and tied the
solemn knot.

"The bride blushed a rosy red, as she promised to love, honor and obey, and
the groom looked as if he was in the midst of a small party of friends, as he
slipped the ring on the lady's finger. After the final words had been said there
was a loud cheer and thousands pressed forward to congratulate the newly married
pair. Mr. Louis Heilbroner was the first to salute the bride, and he performed
the function with a grace that looked like the result of long practice. Mr. and
Mrs. Wilson were kept busy shaking hands for an hour after the ceremony, and
they probably received more congratulations than any couple ever married in
Indiana.

"The other features of the day at the park were enjoyable and the crowd re-
mained until a late hour last night. The park is prettiest after nightfall, and the
visitors appreciated the fact. One pleasant feature of the day was the excellent
order preserved, which has possibly never been equaled in a crowd of such mag-
nitude. There were no intoxicated men on the grounds and no trouble occurred
of any kind. One tough escaped the vigilance of the police and found his way
onto the grounds, but he was soon spotted by Officer Collins who ordered him
away. He refused to go and resisted expulsion, and was immediately locked up
in the park prison.

"There were probably fewer of our people left in the city than any Fourth of
July for years. This owing in a great measure to the fact that Fort Wayne has an
attraction in the shape of a summer resort. — The Robison Park. As will be seen
by our local columns about 35,000 people visited that delightful pleasure place
last Saturday and were given the same enjoyment that they would have secured at
Rome City or Warsaw, and at a cost too, that was very small compared with what
they would have spent going to these resorts. Robison Park is proving a great
boon to our city and as the months and years roll by it will grow in attractiveness
and popularity."

* Ed. Note — Pastor, Sf. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church.

ACCESS TO THE PARK

Probably the most impressionable phase of a visit to the park was the thirty
or forty minutes required to complete the journey by the electric railway. The
open summer cars in use were generally operated in tandem, a power car pulling
a trailer. They would leave Main and Calhoun Streets, going east on Main Street,
making a circuit of the block back to Calhoun Street, then to Superior Street and
on to Spy Run, to a point near Centlivre Park, then east to the river. From here
to the park the country traversed was quite scenic, with the canal feeder on one
side and the St. Joseph River on the other. Trees and woodlots lined the route
for most of the distance.

Tickets to the park were generally sold in a block of three. The first ticket
would read "From Fort Wayne to Centlivre Park." The second ticket read "From
Centlivre Park to Robison Park," while the third or return ticket read "From
Robison Park to Fort Wayne."

This trip became so popular that trolley parties were organized by various
groups, and quite often tickets were sold at a price that would allow the sponsors
a small profit. These trolley parties were generally scheduled for the evening
and quite often several of the city lines would be included in the itinerary before
making the park run.

The cars in use would accommodate about sixty people and were arranged
with ten or twelve seats placed crosswise of the car. The conductor in collecting
his fares made use of a running board at the side of the car, and this arrangement
became somewhat precarious at times. Hand brakes were the only means of re-
tarding speed and avoiding accidents. Good judgment was required in their use.
During inclement weather, canvas curtains would be drawn quite similiar to an
ordinary window blind. The passengers were fairly well protected with this ar-
rangement, but the trainmen were generally well soaked, especially if they neglected
to bring their oil skins.

GROUNDS AND ATTRACTIONS

Throughout the year of 1896 and well into 1897 an army of men was kept
busy at the park rushing to completion the plans of the architects and landscape
gardeners. Each day saw amazing progress made. The depot and waiting rooms
were completed, the large car loop was plotted with grass, walks around the
pavilion were completed and large stone flower stands erected on the sides. The
long rustic bridge was finished and the boat house well on its way to being used.

A water supply system was put into use consisting of an artesian well, with
electrical pumping equipment. Water was pumped into a huge tank at the top of
a high stone tower, which somewhat resembled a dutch windmill. A pressure
sufficient to supply the park was thus obtained.

Within a few years' time after the park opening many attractions and con-
cessions were added. The boat and bath houses were enlarged and additional land-
scaping with flower gardens were added. This latter work was under the direction
of Mr. Harry Doswell who for years operated a floral business in Fort Wayne.
Greenhouses were built so plants could be propagated during winter months for park
use. For the convenience of cyclists a gate was opened on the west side of the
grounds; later this was used by carriages and shelters for horses were erected. A
charge was made for gaining admission to the park through this entrance.

A police force of about a half-dozen men was kept on duty at the park who

were deputized by the Allen County sheriff, and the original force comprised
Phillip Lintlagc, John Aiken, Peter Collins, Edward Tanner, and Henry Sanders. It
was a company policy that no liquor should be sold or carried onto the premises
and this policy continued throughout the park's existence. With few exceptions
the crowds were always orderly which considerably eased the work of the police.
Efforts to circumvent this liquor prohibition were made at various times. About
the time of the opening of the park, Edward Geary opened a saloon nearby and
on July 15, 1896, The Consolidated Railway Company filed affadavits against him
for selling liquor without a license. He was later fined one dollar and costs and
several other charges against him were dismissed. Another and rather unique
attempt to outwit the prohibition ruling was made by a man referred to as Colonel
Allrn who dispensed alcoholic beverages on a barge about thirty-five by twelve
feet in size, anchored by the river bank opposite the park. Contact with the barge
could be made by procuring a rowboat and return trips were sometimes made
v/ith difficulty.

The boating concession which was awarded to Henry, Joseph and John Hart-
man was operated by them continuously until about 19()'> when the large dam
in the river below the park, which had progressively deteriorated was almost
totally destroyed by unusual flood conditions. This disaster lowered the level of
river considerably and shortly afterward canoeing became the only boating on the
river. The Hartman concessions were extensive. The steamboat "Clementina"
could accommodate a considerable excursion party and on busy days trips were
scheduled for up river at about half hour intervals. Several naphtha launches were
maintained for use of the public and about one hundred rowboats were kept in
use. The trip up the river was delightful, for miles there was a broad deep
stretch of water. The stream which flowed between the high wooded banks furn-
ished an ever changing scene of beauty.

A huge electrically operated organ or Orchestron was installed in the west
end of the pavillion. The general effect of the music produced on this instrument
was that of a large and complete orchestra. On it were produced classical, operatic
and popular airs. Its volume was tremenduous and it could be heard in almost every
part of the park. The Orchestron was built in Freiburg, Germany, and was
set up by K. A. Engman and Son of Fort Wayne; its cost completely installed was
almost $10,000. John E. Hoke operated the Orchestron during the years of
1896-97 until he was called to the Spanish- American War. He was succeeded by
Benjamin Ankenbruck.

Dancing was first carried on in the main pavilion under the direction of
Messrs. Forrester and Buhlen who also operated the restaurant. In 1898 a dance
hall was erected near the theatre in the grove and Mr. Louis Hcilbroner became its
manager. In later years a dance hall was erected near the car line depot for more
convenience to the public and was operated by Mr. George Trier, who also oper-
ated a dancing school in the city.

The first theatrical performances given at Robison Park were held under a
large tent. A commodious and well appointed theatre was later erected in the
grove and for about five years after the park opening these shows were managed
by Mr. Louis Heilbroner after which Mr. Geoge Fisher assumed management.
Tom Conrad was stage manager and Harry Dunfee, who was a stage hand, later
became property man while Mrs. Dunfee sold admission tickets. The theatre
carried on for most of the park's existence giving first rate billings to the public.
In later years some movies were shown. The theatre could seat about nine hundred
people and performances were usually scheduled for 2:30 and 8:15 P.M.

10

Most of the attractions were located in the grove to the north of the main
paviHon. A bay or bayou off the river separated the pavihon area from the
grove, and in this bay an island had been created on which was erected a tall swing.
This was a steel frame tower, with six or eight cars suspended by heavy cables
from the upper portion which could be made to revolve. The resulting centrifugal
force would send the cars and their occupants increasingly higher and farther
away from the tower as speed was increased. Some occupants after alighting
from the cars had difficulty in following a straight course.

Many times during the afternoons and evenings screams could be heard
emanating from this area, as directly opposite the circle swing was the rxjller
coaster. The ups and downs of this device were somewhat wicked. Many will
remember the routine of the mad dash. A car that would accommodate about
a dozen people would arrive at the platform where a group was awaiting its
punishment. When loaded an attendant would push the car for a short distance until
it made contact with a heavy chain power drive that would pull the car up the
forty-five degree incline until it reached the very summit of the structure, where
the car and its occupants were abandoned to the laws of gravity. The severity of
the drops that followed could be gauged by the screams of the women passengers.
After a minute of maneuvering during which one lost all sense of direction, the
car finally coasted into the home stretch and brakes were applied by an attendant
perched on a high seat. On many occasions we have made this trip four or five
times in succession without leaving the car.

Beginning at the circle swing and roller coaster and continuing northwarc
was a sort of midway leading to the upper portion of the grove. Here would b(
found the shooting gallery, confection stands, photograph studios, theatre,se:
wave, bowling alleys, merry-go-round, and a pony track. On the hill at the nortl
side of the bay was a large band stand, where concerts were given on holidays anc
Sunday afternoons and evenings, often by the Vcrwiere Band under the direction
of John L. Verwiere. Other prominent bands participated.

Hard by was the shoot-the-chutes, another device designed for thrills. Here
a flat bottomed scow about twenty by seven feet in size would be pulled by a power
drive to a platform about sixty feet above the water, where after receiving its
human cargo the scow made a fast run down a one hundred fifty foot, thirty
degree incline and would hit the water at a terrific speed. The attendant would
maneuver the scow back to a dock, unload his passengers, hook on to the power
drive and repeat the performance.

Along the river and to the east of the segregated amusement section was an
area of many acres well adapted for camping purposes. In later years this area
was acquired by the Fort Wayne Council Boy Scouts of America for a scout camp.
Each scout troop was assigned a definite plot of land and on several of these lots
permanent buildings of logs were erected. Your narrator spent many days as
scoutmaster of Troop No. 10. This camp site was abandoned shortly after the
closing of the park and a camp was established on Sylvan Lake at Rome City,
Indiana, by the Fort Wayne Scout Council.

During the year 1897, a Robison Park Base Ball League was organized and
a ball diamond was prepared on land to the west side of the park not far from the
carriage entrance. Bleachers were erected and considerable crowds were attracted
by the sport. Some of the ball clubs affiliated with the league were the Maroons,
The Hibernarian Rifles, The Keystones, The Shamrocks, The Spy Runs, The Stand-
ards, The Wayne True Blues, The Broadway, and others. At the end of the

12

season, the pennant winning team would be presented with a gold medal by the
park management. The first officers of the league were C. Moran, president;
E. Kielsley, secretary; and E. Kintz, treasurer.

ACTIVITIES

To the late Louis Heilbroner of Fort Wayne is due a major portion of the
credit for the success with which Robison Park was accepted by the public. It was
he who planned the general programs of activities at the resort and the work
allotted to him was detailed and arduous and required his services throughout the
year. He brought to the park some of the finest talent available in the couniiy
at the time, and presented them to the public in outdoor performances usually with
out charge. He worked closely with the railroads and electric lines entering Fort
Wayne in planning excursions to the city and the park. Thousands on thousands
of people were brought here through his cooperative efforts from such points as
Indianapolis, Toledo, Muncie, Lafayette, Logansport, Hillsdale, Grover Hill, Lima,
Van Wert, Bluffton, and numerous other cities. At times there would be three
or four excursions on one day. All were heavily laden and ran on special sched-
ules at reduced fares

Mr. Heilbroner worked closely with lodges, clubs, societies, churches, military
groups, brotherhoods, farmers and other organizations in planning their outmgs
reunions, picnics, barbecues and special events, all to their individual likings. For
years he booked all the attractions at the park theatre with a complete change of
program each week. In short he was the front man, the park's general sales
manager.

During his association with the park Mr. Heilbroner maintained a very com-
plete and orderly scrap book pertaining not only to his work but to all the park
activities as well. The book includes newspaper clippings, programs, handbills,
tickets, notes and correspondence. And it was a happy coincidence when we were
offered the use of this scrap book by Mrs. Lyman T. Rawles, the Curator of the
Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society's Museum, in whose custody the book
is kept.

Throughout the winter, Mr. Heilbroner would look from his desk many
times a day to see a strange face at the window. Sometimes it was the blue shaven
mug of a low comedian or the pinkblonde skin of a soubrette, a stately leadmg
lady, or a black browed "heavy." Again, it would be a dog trainer, a boxer, a skirt
dancer, a song and dance team, a trick bicyclist or a "child wonder.

In spite of the fact that Robison Park was on the circuit of continuous per-
formance theatres in Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Milwaukee, he received
hundreds of letters and personal calls from vaudeville performers. Some of these
were amusing because of their self praise and the size of the salaries demanded.
All requested one hundred fifty dollars per week to start with, then gracefully des-
cended to fifty dollars and some of them went to anything they could get. The names
of many of these had in past times adorned the bill boards as stars of the iirst
magnitude now dwindled to a twinkle in vaudeville.

The result of this separation of wheat and chaff was the appearance at the
park of the greatest variety and highest order of entertainment available. Fort
Wayne was always considered a good show town, and talented showings were
generally well patronized. At some time or other there appeared at the park
theatre many of the great of the legitimate stage: operatic stars, leadmg dramatists,
comedians, and magicians, and specialists in the field of vaudeville.

13

In August of 1897, Mr. Heilbroner introduced Edison's new Projectiscope
considered at the time to be the greatest of all motion machines. These pictures of
course were crude compared to the modern movie projectors. They flickered
until they looked as if they had been taken in a downpour of rain. This was
one of the earliest showings of movies in this area. Probably the first were shown
at the Temple Theatre in Fort Wayne during the same year.

The great outdoor celebrations such as Independence Day observance and Labor
Day picnics attracted the greater crowds. Included in these programs were prom-
inent orators of the day, sporting events, special outdoor performances, barbecues,
and fireworks that were publicized throughout a wide area by means of newspaper
stories and handbills. There was a continuous schedule of picnics, reunions, and
outings by organizations of all types. To give some idea of the scope of these
events we list here chronologically a few months of these incidents taken from
Mr. Heilbroner's schedules:

1896
July 4 — Grand Opening of the Park

July 5 — Tangent line (Findley, Fort Wayne and Western) Excursions
July 12 — Fort Wayne Rifles, Fort Wayne True Blues
July 14 — Third Presbyterian Church Sunday School
July 15 — Salem Reformed Church Sunday School
July 19 — Order of Eastern Stars; Jolly Sixty-five Club
July 21 — English Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Sunday School
July 22— Fort Wayne Canton No. 17 I.O.O.F. P.M.
July 23 — Aged People's Home
July 24 — Simpson M. E. Church
July 28 — Sons of Columbus
July 29 — Trinity English Lutheran Church
July 30 — Knights of Pythias
July 31 — Calvary United Brethren Church

Aug. 2 — Pennsylvania R. R. Excursions from Lima, O., and Plymouth, Indiana
Aug. 3 — Fort Wayne Consolidated Railway Company Employees
Aug. 4 — Baptist Church Sunday School
Aug. 5 — Heidelberg Reformed Church Sunday School
Aug. 6 — Walther League of St. Paul's Church
Aug. 7 — Ladies Auxiliary of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
Aug. 8 — Fort Wayne Electric Corporation, Volunteer Firemen Annual Excursion
Aug. 9 — Excursions by Lake Erie and Western Railroad from Muncie and the

Wabash from Logansport
Aug. 12— Zion S. Bass Post G.A.R.
Aug. 18 — Bob-O-Link Club
Aug. 19 — Van Wert Lodge, Knights of Pythias
Aug. 20 — Young Men's Society Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Minnewa Council D. P. Indiana Order of Red Men
Aug. 21 — -Caledonia Society

Aug. 23 — Wabash R.R. Excursion from Toledo, Ohio
Aug. 23 — Reunion of German Societies

Aug. 25— Wayne Tent No. 54 K.T.O.M.; Order of Red Cross
Sept. 7 — Labor Day — 8th Annual Celebration Trades and Labor Council
Sept. 11 — School Children's Outing
Sept. 1 3 — Lake Erie and Western and Findley, Fort Wayne and Western Railroad

Excursions

14

Sept. 14 — Fort Wayne Ministerial Association

Sept. 16— Concert and Dance, first Regiment A.O.V.W. Band

Sept. 18 — Kekionga Council No. 93 National Union

Sept. 23 — Annual Excursion, Junior Order United American Mechanics

Sept. 24 — Farmers' Day

Sept. 25 — Aquatic Day

Sept. 27— Lake Erie and Western and Findley, Fort Wayne and Western Railroad

Excursions
Sept. 29— Fort Wayne Hibernian Rifles

1897
une 2 — Northern Indiana Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
une 3 — Combined Walther Leagues of Fort Wayne
une 4 — Ancient Order of United Workmen

Degree of Honor of Northern Indiana
une 5 — ^Christian Endeavor Society of Church of Christ
une 8 — Olive Club

une 10 — Young Women's Christian Association

une 14 — First Anniversary of Robison Park

une 19 — Excursion of the Hillsdale Athletic Club of Hillsdale, Mich,

une 22 — Ladies Society of Westminster Presbyterian Church

une 21 — Ladies Aid Society of Lakeside

une 23 — Royal Arcanum Day (20th Anniversary)

une 24 — Knights and Ladies of Columbia

une 25 — Baptist Church Sunday School

une 26 — Children's Day

une 27 — Lake Erie and Western Railroad Excursion from Indianapolis

une 29 — Ladies Auxiliary, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

THE CANOE CLUBS

Practically all boating on the river ceased to exist after the destruction of the
feeder dam. However, within a few years after this accident two canoe clubs
were organized and club houses erected on park property. They were known as
the Riverview and Wayne canoe clubs, and they continued in their chosen
sport until the park was terminated. To my knowledge these were the only private
organizations ever tolerated on park property and from what I can gather, they were
the first organized private canoe clubs in the State of Indiana.

Canoeing is at its best in shallow and swift waters and with the destruction of
the feeder dam, the St. Joseph river above the dam became ideal canoe waters, and
again some activity appeared on the river. I doubt if any group of young men
ever enjoyed more clean and healthful sport than these seasoned canoeists and
campers. It was my good fortune to become affiliated with the Riverview Canoe
Club shortly after its organization.

We spent week ends and holidays on the river from Aoril until around
October of each year. Satuday nights found us camping on different sites along
the liver sometimes many miles above th park. The canoes were immaculate with
carpet, back rests, cushions, flags and other refinements. The club houses and
grounds were orderly and well groomed. The canoe club docks were kept afloat by
many empty barrels held in position under the flooring, and after the spring thaws
the docks would be placed In the river and removed in the late fall.

The park was opened to the public from June until late September and dur-

15

ing this period many exhibitions of canoeing skill were made before interested
crowds on the river bluffs. Races and canoe tilting contests were on the agenda.
In the latter affair two canoes faced each other with a man at the back end to
paddle and steady the craft, while at the front end a man stood with a bamboo
pole about twelve feet long on the end of which was a large pad resembling an
oversize boxing glove. The object was to push the opponent off his precarious
position, and if possible to upset the canoe and its occupants. Some of the con-
testants became quite proficient in being able to continue the contest for a short
period of time before being dunked. All was not fun, however, for during the
1913 flood which inundated many sections of Fort Wayne, many of the members
of the clubs and their canoes were pressed into service delivering supplies to
marooned families and ferrying people across flooded areas. A number of the
canoes were engaged in the 1916 pageant at Reservoir Park celebrating the 100th
anniversary of Indiana's statehood.

As time passed members of the canoe clubs would make trips to more distant
waters. Occasionally several members would team up and paddle down the St.
Joseph river to Fort Wayne and thence down the Maumee River to Toledo, Ohio,
On one occasion the writer in company with Mr. George Craigshead, a member of
the club, traveled by canoe from Lake James, Indiana via Jimmerson Creek and the
Fawn River to Constantine, Michigan, and then followed the St. Joseph River of
Michigan through Bristol, Elkhart, South Bend, Niles and Berrien Springs to St.
Joseph and Benton Harbor on Lake Michigan. We camped throughout the trip
which required about ten days time. Other trips by canoe took us to such distant
rivers as the Abitibi of Quebec Province, the Ottawa and St. Lawrence of Canada,
the Flambeau and Fox of Wisconsin and the Vermillian and St. Croix of Minne-
sota and always without benefit of guide. But the training waters for these
trips was the St. Joseph River at Robison Park.

CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP

As previously mentioned, electric railways were generally short lived. It is
a fact, as the financial and statistical records will prove, that very little money was
ever made by this method of transportation. In many instances operating expenses
exceeded gross income. Stock and bond issues were out of all proportion to in-
vestment and income. Right of ways were costly, and with taxes on the increase the
final accounting generally left an appalling picture. The result was always the
same, hundreds of people invested their money in these ventures only to lose it.
Companies went into receivership or joined in consolidations almost as fast as they
came into existence. However, without this electric railway service Robison Park
could not have existed, and during most of its lifetime, the line and park were
owned and controlled by one and then another of the major interurban electric
lines entering Fort Wayne. With this Tinkers to Evers to Chance game, the
wonder is that the park survived as long as it did.

Almost two months to the day, following the formal opening of the park,
(September 8th to be exact) the Fort Wayne Consolidated Railway Company
filed application for receivership. Judge Edward O'Rourke appointed John H.
Bass and M. Stanley Robison as co-receivers. Most of the company's bonds were
held by Cleveland interests, and after considerable court action, the assets of the
Consolidated were sold on September 27, 1899, to these Cleveland interests for
the sum of $1,092,000. From this transaction, the Fort Wayne Traction Company
came into being and became the park's new owners.

16

In a little more than three years, title to the park property again changed
when on December 11, 1902, the Cleveland interests sold the Fort Wayne Traction
Company for the sum of $2,000,444 to the Murdock Syndicate. Leaders in this
organization were Henry C. Paul, Stephen B. Fleming, James, Samuel, and
Charles Murdock of Lafayette, Indiana, George R. McCulIock of Muncie, Indiana
and J. Levering Jones of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Within a period of five months after the Murdock group came into control of
the Fort Wayne Traction Company, a new electric railway corporation came into
being that was desined to control the Fort Wayne City Lines and Robison Park.
This was the Fort Wayne, Logansport, Lafayette and Lima Traction Company, in-
corporated May 29, 1903. Less than a year later, the corporate name was changed
to Fort Wayne and Wabash Valley Traction Company. They purchased the feeder
canal paralleling the Robison Park line presumably for water rights and proposed
extending this line northward into DeKalb County.

The Wabash Valley held ownership to the park until succeeded by the
Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana Traction Company. This was a huge merger
of nine traction lines and three power companies which took place February 25,
1911. This new venture operated at its peak a total of two hundred nine miles
of rail. They were pioneers in the sale of light and power to cities and homes
along the right of way. James M. Barrett of Fort Wayne was appointed corpora-
tion council and he later succeeded to the presidency of the system. This com-
pany was sold under forclosure proceedings on December 20, 1919.

Its successor was the Indiana Service Corporation, organized by Samuel
Insull, Midland Utilities Company, and formal transfer to the new company took
place on April 28, 1920.

This transfer was Robison Park's death certificate.

NATURE REGAINS CONTROL

In the Spring of 1920, the Traction Company announced that the park would
not open that year and set forth its plan to sell the land and equipment. The com-
pany had threatened for some time to junk the car line but no definite announce-
ment was forthcoming until Mr. Robert M. Feustel, receiver for the Traction
Company, made the following statement through the newspapers at that time:

"In answer to the many requests from patrons as to the closing of Robison
Park, the Traction Company has had no real choice in the matter. It requires
car equipment to give the service and the open cars were no longer in safe con-
dition to operate. The company felt that the real protection to its patrons was
the first consideration.

"Regarding the earning side of Robison Park, the story at Fort Wayne has
been the same as all street railway parks over the country. Where a long haul was
made over a route which was not used all the year round in regular service these
parks have never paid.

"The year 1919 was the best in the history of the park with a total earnings
of $28,498 which was about 18 cents per car mile of operation. This cost barely
paid the wages of trainmen and the actual power costs. It left nothing for car or
track maintainance and other miscellaneous expenses.

"The figures show that 197,232 passengers were carried to the park in 1919;
this number of passengers is less than the number carried in four average week days
in the City of Fort Wayne at the present time."

17

Mr. Feustel went on to say, "That the double equipment necessary for this
business is of course a burden we would not dare to put on the car riders, if we
were to buy new summer equipment to replace the old equipment.

"The automobile has taken the place of the open car for the cooling ride in
summer. This is evidenced by the fact that one-fifth of the people who visited the
park last year rode in automobiles.

"While the company has known for years the park was not a paying venture
they have continued the operation because of the sentiment of the public. Now
there is no equipment to be had and that men are scarce even if the equipment
was available, the operation is out of the question.

"The Company expects to cooperate in any movement to furnish service to
parks close to the city where the regular equipment can be used. The land and
equipment at the old park will be sold and the money devoted to the improvement
of the city service."

With this official pronouncement, an era of wholesome amusement and
recreation came to a close.

Soon after this publication many of the buildings and concessions at the park
were dismantled or removed to the newly created Trier's Park (now West Swinney
Park) in the west side of the City of Fort Wayne and the rail lines were scrapped.

In later years, some of the park land was acquired by the city of Fort Wayne
for the site of a dam in the St. Joseph River for water supply purposes. This plan
never materialized. Nature gradually took over possession of the site, tall grass,
brush and trees now flourish where formerly were flower gardens and lawns. The
old stone water tower stood for a considerable time after the park's closing, a
nostalgic reminder to all of the pleasant days spent in the area. It too finally
disappeared from the scene.

Much of the park site is now in the possession of Mr. Paul H. Holbrock who
maintains a Palomino horse farm on a portion of the property. A few months
ago, with permission of Mr. Hobrock, we visited the area, and the sight that met
us was disheartening. So great was the change in the landscape that we were
lost during much of the exploratory trip. The only identifying remains discovered
were some brick supports of the main pavilion building. Several cement sections
of the flooring of the electric railway depot were still in place and some traces
of the dance hall are in evidence. The site of our former canoe club buildings is
now occupied by trees thirty to forty feet in height. The bay is now free of water
and occuppied by acres of tall trees. That nature can eradicate man's handiwork
in a comparatively short time is well exhibited here. It was difficult to imagine
the former beauty of the area with its thousands of pleasure seekers milling about
the grounds and we left the area feeling akin to one who had just visited
a consecrated site.

Many persons cf the older generation who were familiar with Robison Park
and who by chance may read these lines will share with your narrator many
nostalgic reminiscences.

Progress is relentless.

18

HECKMAN pi
BINDERY INC. |§|

MAY 96