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LEEPER PARK HISTORICAL CONTEXT As early as 1889, Alexis Coquillard proposed to conditionally donate land at the bend of the St. Joseph River to the City of South Bend for the purpose of establishing a public park. The parcel proposed later became Howard Park. At the time of the Common Council consideration of this donation, the South Bend Tribune editorialized that the best and most appropriate park land in the city was at its north end near Chapin Park. In 1895, the city purchased a large parcel on the east side of Michigan street for the establishment of the Water Works, capping artesian wells there located and rendering the land usable for recreation. In 1905 additional lands were acquired between Michigan Lafayette Streets and tennis courts there developed. At this time, the log cabin was rehabilitated and established as the "Pierre Navarre Cabin" (a designated Local Landmark) although this attribution is questionable. In 1906 additional acreage was acquired completing the west end of the park. The following year, the wooden bridge connecting to the island in the St. Joseph River was washed away in flooding and replaced with a new structure of iron and concrete. By this time the zoo located at the east end of the park boasted 132 animals of 50 varieties and the pond in the middle section of the park was stocked with ducks and geese. The present North Pumping Station (a designated Local Landmark) was constructed in 1912. The present Michigan Street Bridge was constructed in 1915 as part of the Park -Boulevard plan proposed by George Kessler. During the Great Depression extensive work was done in the park funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) including the reconstruction of the retaining walls around the island which utilized salvage material from the earlier bridge. RECOMMENDATION Based on the HPC Local Landmarks Criteria, the site at Leeper Park has been recommended by the Landmarks Committee of the Historic Preservation Commission as a Local Historic Landmark. The building meets the criteria in at least four areas. 1.) Its character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the State if Indiana, or the United States of America. 2.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or innovation. 3.) Its educational value. 4.) Its suitability for preservation. The site fulfills criteria #1 as material evidence of South Bend's development of civic institutions and infrastructure developed for use and enjoyment by the general public with the purpose of improving the general health and well being of the rapidly growing community.