March 1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Howard Park covers an eleven and a half acre area on the east side of the St. Joseph River between Jefferson Street and the Grand Trunk Railroad. The park features winding cement walks over a wide expanse of grass. The park's most significant features are the' concrete balustrade at the seawall, the artificial ice rink and the 1940 fieldstone administration building. Vandal proof lampposts were installed in the park in 1975. The Park Administration Building is rated a significant 11 in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. It is a one and a half story Craftsman style building with an irregular plan, fieldstone foundation and exterior, flush, gable fieldstone chimney. The buildings walls are fieldstone with clapboard located in the gable peaks. The roof is gable in shape with gable extension and a shed dormer, all of which are covered in slate. The building boasts a front porch with wood posts, corner brackets and low fieldstone wall. The structures windows are multi -paned with wood fixed sash casements. RECOMMENDATION Based on the Historic Preservation Commission's Local Landmark Criteria's adopted by the Common Council, the site at Howard Park has been recommended to the Common Council for designation as a Local Landmark by Historic Preservation Commission. The site meets the criteria in at least three 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 of Indiana, or the United states of America. 2.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristics or innovations. 3.) Its educational value. The building 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.