Mesker Park

Mesker Park View all images of Mesker Park

a.k.a. Oak Summit Park

Quick Timeline

1900	Mesker Park established
c1915	Acquired Oak Summit Park
1928	Mesker Park Zoo opens
1951	Mesker Park Amphitheater built

Location

Architecture

History

Comments

that part of mesker park west of highway it was laid out as a pleasure park in 1899 with many rides and concessions property of street car company but open to public free geo l mesker, owner of Mesker Iron Co, donated the original 40 acres in 1900 oak summit and mesker separate in 1910 book

in 1915 mesker donated $25k to acquire more land and improve the area 1915 playground equip in oak summit/mesker shelter house in mesker park

zoo built on east side of litle Cyntiana Rd (mesker park drive) zoo opened 1928 one of first with moat system knecht building named after political cartoonist karl k knecht who worked for the Courier 1906-60, helped raise money to buy first elephant "Kay" kley building named after businessman charles f kley who donated money as well

mesker memorial amphitheater additional donation by mesker 1936 improve park and support music programs delayed by wwii new rustic stone house built by wpa on off oak summit pic 4/24/1938 ep 8/27/50 sketch of amphitheater june 15 1952 opening wayne king's orchestra

See also

Research notes

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