Hart in Oceana County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
John Gurney Park / Auto Tourist Camps
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
1. John Gurney Park Marker (Side 1)
Inscription.
John Gurney Park, also, Auto Tourist Camps. .
John Gurney Park. Former state senator Theron Gurney and his wife, Helen, donated land to the village of Hart in 1912 for a park to honor their son, Lieutenant John Gurney (1871-1898), a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, had died at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish American War. In 1914 the Progressive Park Association erected the entrance arch as a memorial. John Gurney Park was one of several auto tourist camps developed along the West Michigan Pike during the 1920s. In 1921 the pavilion was built and the park was improved with water and other amenities. A 1921 Hart Journal called it "one of the most beautiful and spacious parks that any town in Western Michigan can boast." Hart Lake was created in 1925 when the Pentwater River was dammed for a hydroelectric plant
Auto Tourist Camps. With the introduction of the Model T by the Ford Motor Company in 1908, the automobile-previously a luxury-became something the working class could afford. Taking a drive soon became a source of recreation. Since no services were yet available, travelers who took long trips to scenic areas had to camp overnight, often on private land. In 1919 the Michigan State Parks Commission was founded to create a state park system that offered public access to lakes and beaches and free camping to auto tourists. Before long camping became a national phenomenon. To meet the demand the Michigan Tourist and Resort Association proposed that five camps be built in 1920 along the West Michigan Pike, one of the state's first improved continuous highways. By 1923 Michigan had some 300 free auto tourist camps.
John Gurney Park
Former state senator Theron Gurney and his wife, Helen, donated land to the village of Hart in 1912 for a park to honor their son, Lieutenant John Gurney (1871-1898), a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, had died at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish American War. In 1914 the Progressive Park Association erected the entrance arch as a memorial. John Gurney Park was one of several auto tourist camps developed along the West Michigan Pike during the 1920s. In 1921 the pavilion was built and the park was improved with water and other amenities. A 1921 Hart Journal called it "one of the most beautiful and spacious parks that any town in Western Michigan can boast." Hart Lake was created in 1925 when the Pentwater River was dammed for a hydroelectric plant
Auto Tourist Camps
With the introduction of the Model T by the Ford Motor Company in 1908, the automobile-previously a luxury-became something the working class could afford. Taking a drive soon became a source of recreation. Since no services were yet available, travelers who took long trips to scenic areas had to camp overnight, often on private land. In 1919 the Michigan State Parks Commission was founded to create a state park system that offered
Click or scan to see this page online
public access to lakes and beaches and free camping to auto tourists. Before long camping became a national phenomenon. To meet the demand the Michigan Tourist and Resort Association proposed that five camps be built in 1920 along the West Michigan Pike, one of the state's first improved continuous highways. By 1923 Michigan had some 300 free auto tourist camps.
Erected 2009 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2210.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 43° 42.274′ N, 86° 21.563′ W. Marker is in Hart, Michigan, in Oceana County. Marker is at the intersection of Woodlawn Avenue and Katheryn Street, on the right when traveling north on Woodlawn Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hart MI 49420, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . John Gurney Park. (Submitted on August 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
3. John Gurney Park / Auto Tourist Camps Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
4. Plaque on Entrance Pillar
This park and memorial arch are a loving tribute to the memory of John Asa Gurney, USA, who fell in battle July 1, 1898 at Santiago-de-Cuba. This arch erected by loving friends - 1914 -
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 260 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
