05/25/2026
This photograph, likely taken in the 1930s, was previously published in the Grand Island Independent on Monday, September 27, 1937, in an article titled: “The “Then” and “NOW” of Memorial Park — Our Other Park.”
The land that would become Memorial Park in Grand Island was originally owned by several individuals, including Ira and Bayard Paine, George Bell, and Andrew Hargis. The area had been used as sand pits, and once it was no longer needed for that purpose, it became a dumping ground for garbage and manure. Reports of dumping in the pits appear in newspapers as early as 1907. Fires were a frequent problem, including a notable blaze on July 4, 1913, started by a passing Union Pacific engine. Despite posted signs and repeated warnings, dumping continued until the formation of the City Improvement Association in 1921, which began working to clean up such sites across the city.
City Attorney Harold A. Prince worked to locate the landowners along West Third Street and obtain quitclaim deeds. Judge Bayard H. Paine was the first contacted and the first to transfer his land, with the condition that it “must be forever devoted to community purposes or revert to the grantors, or their heirs.” Other landowners soon followed, deeding their property with the understanding that it would “forever be dedicated to public park, playground or camping purposes.”
Throughout the remainder of 1921 and into early 1922, work crews removed refuse, filled in the pits, and added topsoil. By April 1922, plans were in place to begin planting trees. A joint committee of the City Improvement Association requested that the first trees be planted on Arbor Day and asked the mayor to name the site “Memorial Park.” The American Legion proposed planting one memorial tree for each of the 28 fallen soldiers from Hall County, either within or in front of the park, and contracted with Tilley Nurseries to care for the trees during their first year. Hackberry trees were selected. Additional trees were donated by the Elks, Rotarians, Spanish-American War Veterans, the Eagles, the Woman’s Club, and the Kiwanians. The mayor and city council officially approved the name Memorial Park at their meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 1922.
The Independent announced on April 18 that the park’s dedication would take place on Memorial Day, Tuesday, May 30, 1922, with some tree planting to occur in advance. Special invitations were extended to the Spanish-American War Veterans, Disabled War Veterans, and the Grand Army of the Republic to participate in the ceremonies.
Work on Memorial Park did not end with dedication. The American Legion, the City Improvement Association and the City of Grand Island continued to acquire land to expand the park. Grant and Clay streets were closed to add space to the park. The American Legion commissioned a Memorial Tablet listing the 28 fallen soldiers from Hall County in WWI. It arrived on the May 14, 1925, and was displayed in the window of Wolbach’s store. The Legion continued to advocate for improvements and contributed funds toward development.
The city solicited plans and bids for the park, and the proposal from Marshall Nursery in Arlington, Nebraska, was approved on March 17, 1927. The plan outlined the full layout of the park, with a central memorial area and fountain. It also specified the placement of each tree honoring the fallen soldiers along a sidewalk to be installed along Third Street. Planting began on April 16.
In September 1929, the Union Pacific allowed for their right of way to become a part of the park so that the area between the park and the tracks could be cleaned up and seeded. Some of the proposed features, such as acquiring war cannons from France for display in the park, were never realized. The Memorial Tablet and shrine area, which included a small circular fountain, were finally installed in the summer of 1931. The city would go on to install lighting in the park to highlight the plantings and shrine area. For many years, the park served as a place to gather on Memorial Day and as a regular meeting place for community events.
The Memorial Tablet that once stood central at Memorial Park was relocated to the Veteran’s Memorial Park near the Veteran’s Club in the spring of 2013. Originally mounted on concrete in Memorial Park, it was cleaned and mounted on granite at the new location donated by Jim Schiffler, then owner of Desch Paine Memorials. The WWI Memorial Tablet was rededicated on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013.
Memorial Park is located at 2000 W 3rd St. and is bound on the west by Garfield St., the east by Tilden St. and the north by the Union Pacific tracks.
