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On the Porch

In the 1930s, a popular outdoor recreation area in Lyon County became a park. The 27 acre tract of land along the Cottonwood River in section 2, Custer Township was named Garvin Park. The park came into existence through the efforts of local people and H.C. Garvin. Mr. Garvin was a station agent in Tracy for the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad. He became the chief contributor of money and equipment for the park.

Because of the Great Depression occurring at this time, many people were out of work. Howard Bussard administered federal relief funds to pay crews of men for the labor needed to create the park. Two log cabins were built, along with a ball diamond, picnic tables, fireplaces and a swimming pool. Frank Swaim was hired as caretaker for the park.

On May, 30, 1935, a crowd of 5,000 attended the dedication event. The photograph featured this week are the original sponsors of Garvin Park, including Kenneth Morgan, who was the park board chairman. The men in the photograph are, from left: Earl Robinson, Marvin S. Peterson, Harry A. Rasmussen, Otto M. Johnson, Allie Lein, Herman J. Holden, Kenneth Morgan, and Walt Turner, all of Garvin.

According to the 1970 Centennial History of Lyon County, the park was visited by hundreds of people during the next few years. In just a few years after the park opened, spring floods washed away the bridge and destroyed much of the work done. Because funds ran low, the area soon reverted back to its wild state. However in 1967, The Lyon County Board, together with the Parks Advisory Committee, levied local funds to match state and federal grants to enlarge Garvin Park by 490 acres and to develop recreational facilities.

The Lyon County Historical Society is a non-profit, member-supported organization. For more information on membership, research, volunteering, or the museum’s collection, please contact us at 537-6580 or director@lyoncomuseum.org. Like our page and follow us on Facebook.

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