Tue, Dec 02 2008
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Published May 16, 2008 07:24 am - Edmundson Park Outdoor Theater gets its first use By CHUCK RUSSELL The Oskaloosa Herald OSKALOOSA — Last week, this “A While Ago” picture and story had to do with the welcoming of the National Champion Oskaloosa High School Band at the M&St. L. train station from Minneapolis. This 1939 springtime picture shows the band ready to perform in Edmundson Park’s brand new Outdoor Theatre, located just south of the park’s west gate. Director Ivan Kennedy can be seen at the extreme left of the top row next to the string bass. Look for the audience of relatives, friends and autos in the background. Note, also, the attractive, native limestone stage with ornate, stone foot lights and the unique, natural wood pole and stake stage backing. Edmundson Park was named after William Edmundson who, it is said, plowed the first furrow in what would become Mahaska County after the land was ceded by the Sioux and Fox Indians. William was the first sheriff of our county and represented the county in the first General Assembly. William’s son, James Depew Edmundson, was a wealthy lawyer banker and philanthropist. When James died in 1933, he honored his father with a bequest of $20,000 to the city of Oskaloosa for an Edmundson memorial park. The country was in deep depression and with the help of the Works Progress Administration, beautiful Edmundson Park was built. James was the same man who paid for the sculpture of Chief Mahaska in the downtown park as well as money to the Art Center in Des Moines. An alert city engineer, a noted architect and a sensitive landscape architect put together a plan for Edmundson Park. This project was one of the first WPA grants in Iowa. As you enjoy the playgrounds, disk golf, recreational trail or the newly renovated swimming pool, take time to look at the theatre, limestone bridges, fireplaces, shelter and stairs. Two brochures are available free in the basement office at City Hall. Laura or Cindy will give you one on the park and one on our statute of Chief Mahaska. Thanks again to our former Mahaska County citizen. 
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