LB2007.1.113624

LB2007.1.113624

Entrance To City Park This view is of the entrance to the City Park in its early days and its pavilion (roof visible in the distance), located on Northport Avenue across from the current Shrine Club (at the time, the residence of Mayor Edgar Hanson). The land for the seaside park was purchased in 1904 by the city under pressure from the Ladies Improvement Society women. The Ladies Improvement Society first brought several petitions to the city to purchase a tract of land located between Allyn and Condon Streets. A commission was appointed to investigate the 7 acre parcel as well as a 15 acre parcel between Mayor Edgar Hanson's mansion on Northport Avenue and the shore. The council's commission recommended purchasing the larger tract for $3000.00. The measure passed unanimously and the Ladies were overjoyed. The pavilion shown in this image was originally located, along with clam baking ovens in an early park which was located at the foot of Condon Street. The pavilion was moved by a team of horses to its present location when it was decided to locate the City Park on the larger 15 acre parcel across from Mayor Edgar Hanson's Colonia Villa on Northport Avenue. Through 1905 and 1906 volunteers cleared and improved the site, constructed two roads and on September 9, 1906 the park was officially opened with a concert by the Belfast Band. When Edgar Hanson took over as mayor in 1907 he spearheaded a campaign to beautify the park. this included the hiring of a Boston landscape architect, E. L. Beard. This precipitated a rift between the city and the Ladies Improvement Society which felt that their project had been highjacked and they had been left out. In spite of this, the park was cared for and enthusiastically used by the whole community. Little more was done to the park for several years. In 1921, camping was allowed and visitors were encouraged with the addition of a sign which read "Belfast City Park: Welcome to Tourists". The Belfast Band gave concerts from a bandstand every other Sunday in the summers of the 1920s. In 1936, the WPA rejuvenated the park by planting grass, resurfacing the roads, digging a well, building a seawall and a salt water pool.