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Article: Bloomington park has more than State Farm in its history
- Article from:
- The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL
- Article date:
- June 21, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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BLOOMINGTON - The history of G.J. Mecherle Memorial Park
(commonly known as State Farm Park) on Bloomington's south side is
at least 75 years older than the insurance giant itself.
Before State Farm purchased the lake and surrounding property in
1948, the park was home to myriad activities, including swimming and
ice skating, family reunions, chautauquas, fraternal society
gatherings, circuses, war veteran "encampments," Wild West shows,
church revivals, Jazz Age dances, and even moviemaking.
It all started with Stephen Houghton, who arrived in Bloomington
in the mid-1840s and eventually purchased property south of town. On
this land (which then was far outside the city limits), Houghton ...