Figure 1.--Gamily vacations were becoming populasr in the 1920s aided by Henry Ford's Tin Lizzie. Nut then the Depression occured meaning thatmany families were srtruggling to survive, letalne take a vacation (1930s). And vefore the Depression was quite over--America was plunged into World War II (1941). Vacatios wre over, as part of the War effort, dads were drafted, tavel was discouraged, cars were no lnger manufactured, and gasoloine was rationed. This all began to change after the War. After a short period of converting from war production, the economy burst into a period of unprecedented proterity. Thefamily vacation became an annual adventure for countless American families. And the natinal parks became a primary vacation adventure. . Few Americans visited the National Parks before the 1950s. Here we see a family on vation enjoyin one of he parks, we think about 1960.

While we have focused on urban parks, which he Europeans basically began creating (earlyl-19h century). Britain was a pioneer. here is some debate as to what was the first urban park in America. Some say it was the Boston Common (17th century). But the Boston Common was not created as a recreational area. In fact the Puritan Colonists were not interested in recreation at all. The City of Boston tells us, "When Puritan colonists purchased the land rights to the Common, the price was 30 pounds, and each homeowner paid six shillings. The pasture then became known as the 'Common Land' and was used to graze local livestock until 1830. A town shepherd was paid 'two shillings and sixpence per head of cowe' to tend townspeople’s livestock. The Common was a site for Puritanical punishments, home to a whipping post, pillory, and stocks. Pirates, murderers, and witches were hanged from the tree known as 'The Great Elm'' now gone. Mary Dyer and three other Quakers were also hanged on the Common for their beliefs. A statue of Mary Dyer now stands on the Massachusetts State House lawn. Also referred to as a 'trayning field'' over 1.000 Redcoats made camp on the Common during the British occupation of Boston in 1775. It was from here that three brigades of Redcoats embarked to make the fateful trip to Lexington and Concord." 【Recreation Department】 It is in Europe that the idea of urban parks was born led by England. Here the industrial Revolution and he loss of green spaces in the rising industrial cities were a factor. In America the first such park was Central Park in New York City (1853). While urban oaks were a European invention, the United States helped pioneer the concept of national and state parks. Yellowstone National Park is the world's first national park. President Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Act into law (1872). States were also active. California launched the idea, setting aside land in Yosemite Valley for preservation and public enjoyment, but not actually creating a park, This was formally done back East in New York. Niagara Falls State Park in New York was the first state park (1885). Niagara Falls was in an urban area accessible to tourists, Yosemite and Yellowstone were not. These parks were established with preservationist ideas in mind as travel to the parks in remote Western areas was at first very limited, although the expanding rail system was making it possible at first for the privileged few. Large-scale visitation would require Henry Fords and the his Tin Lizzie (1907). These parks were commonly located in remote areas and at first set around prominent landmarks and geological formations. Gradually historical parks were added, often associated with the Revolutionary or Civil Was. Because of the locations, they were not easily accessible to working-class families. Attendance did not become common until after World War II when most families acquired cars and planned summer vacations. Attendance at these parks was almost always family groups. A reader found this account about a family attending an Arkansas state park. "A couple of 8-year-old twin boys have found a 2.50 carat raw diamond that could be worth thousands of dollars, according to the director of a state park in the southern U.S. state of Arkansas. "They thought it was a piece of mica. When they learned it was a diamond, there were many 'woo hoos' and high-fives exchanged," said Rachel Engrecht of the Crater of Diamonds State park. She said the children found the 2.50 carat diamond during the weekend in the park, where visitors are encouraged to prospect for the precious stones. Another park official, Bill Henderson told AFP on Monday the gem could be worth several thousands of dollars. He said the stone, named the "Duncan twins" after its young boys who found it, has a sparkling metallic look and is 'almost heart shaped'."

Urban Parks

The most well known American urban park is of course Central Park in New York. One interesting view of Central Park in 1919 is available in HBC. Central Park was a huge urban park. Other cities had nuch smaller parks. All big cities had important parks. Nothing was as large as Central Park, but there were many important parks around the country. Small towns had a town square or some kind of park in the center of town. Various activities took place in these parks. his depended in part on the size of the park. A fountain was a big assett during the summer. Images from these parks provide fascinating images of American life over time. American boys might have worn Fantleroy suits like English boys. Younger boys might have worn kilt suits. The sailor suit was very commonly worn to the park--commonly with kneepants. Boys might wear smocks at home, but were unlikely to wear them to the park. Older boys would wear a variety of kneepants suits to the park. After World War I, conventions shifted. Gradually more casual clothes became popular and were increasingly seen in images from parks. The nature of parks also changed. Facilities were added specifically for children. This was true of new parks built to accomodate families moving to the suburbs. These often included sports facilities like baseball fields.

National Parks

While we have focused on urban parks, which were a European invention, the United States helped pioneer the concept of national and state parks. Yellowstone National Park is the world's first national park. President Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Act into law (1872). Ths began with the national wonders of the vast Western lands. Europen countries were much smller. All the features of he landscape had been known for cenuries. The fact that America was a democratic republic was an mprtant factor. And he idea of prserving them for the public was alien to he monarch and aristicrats ruling those countries. Today more than 100 nations contain some 1,200 national parks or comparable preserves and it all began in America. After Yellowstone, the United States began founding more national parks and evenually. Large numbers were carved of the Western Federal lands. MANY WERE administered by the Department of the Interior. Some natural and historical areas were administered by the War Department and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture. No single agency for many years was assigned responsibility for the many varied Federal parcels This changed when President Woodrow Wilson signed the law creating the National Park Service. hiswas a brand new federal agency wihin the Interior Department. The Park Service was given responsibility for managing the national parks and monuments nd the wildlife in the parks. .

State Parks

States were also active. California launched the idea, setting aside land in Yosemite Valley for preservation and public enjoyment, but not actually creating a park, This was formally done back East in New York. Niagara Falls State Park in New York was the first state park (1885). Niagara Falls was in an urban area accessible to tourists, Yosemite and Yellowstone were not. These parks were established with preservationist ideas in mind as travel to the parks in remote Western areas was at first very limited, although the expanding rail system was making it possible at first for the privileged few. Large-scale visitation would require Henry Fords and the his Tin Lizzie (1907). These parks were commonly located in remote areas and at first set around prominent landmarks and geological formations. Gradually historical parks were added, often associated with the Revolutionary or Civil Was. Because of the locations, they were not easily accessible to working-class families. Attendance did not become common until after World War II when most families acquired cars and planned summer vacations. Attendance at these parks was almost always family groups. A reader found this account about a family attending an Arkansas state park. "A couple of 8-year-old twin boys have found a 2.50 carat raw diamond that could be worth thousands of dollars, according to the director of a state park in the southern U.S. state of Arkansas. "They thought it was a piece of mica. When they learned it was a diamond, there were many 'woo hoos' and high-fives exchanged," said Rachel Engrecht of the Crater of Diamonds State park. She said the children found the 2.50 carat diamond during the weekend in the park, where visitors are encouraged to prospect for the precious stones. Another park official, Bill Henderson told AFP on Monday the gem could be worth several thousands of dollars. He said the stone, named the "Duncan twins" after its young boys who found it, has a sparkling metallic look and is 'almost heart shaped'."

Created: 8:56 AM 1/14/2025
Last updated: 8:57 AM 1/14/2025