Centlivre and Vesey Parks

Centlivre and Vesey Parks. .

“Lovers of thrill and action should not miss next Sunday's attraction at Centlivre Park … ” – Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, 1910

, In the 1870s, the Centlivre family operated a brewery and beer garden near their residence along the St. Joseph River. By the 1890s, the family began operating a park near this location along Spy Run Creek. The park remained a recreational destination for the next seven decades. By 1902, a map of “Centlivres Park” along Spy Run Creek included a half-mile track, grand stand, refreshment booth, ice houses, and a stage. North of Centlivre, the John H. Vesey Park was donated to the City in 1912, expanding the parklike setting of this area. In the 1910s and 1920s, Centlivre Park hosted auto races on the track. The park was also a frequent host to traveling circuses that came to Fort Wayne. The circuses included the Sells-Floto, Hagenbeck- Wallace, and Ringling Brothers Circuses. The park, including its large race track, remained until the early 1960s when the land was sold and the luxury Centlivre apartments were built. Just north- of here, residents could enjoy Vesey Park, which emphasized natural surroundings in contrast to the diversions of Centlivre to the south. The park was described in 1911 as “a city park with rippling brook and birds singing in trees.” , [Captions] , Left: Vesey Park has been a popular neighborhood destination for decades (ACPL Community Album) , Top Right: The Ringling Brothers (shown here on parade through Fort Wayne in 1912) were among the circus acts that performed at Centlivre Park (ACPL Community Album) , Bottom Right: This 1870s lithograph depicts the Centlivre beer garden on the St. Joseph River (Andreas, Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, 1876) , Imagining History: A stone and concrete bridge was a popular automobile crossing over Spy Run Creek for many years. Can you find the bridge remnant in Vesey Park today between Young Drive and Irvington Drive?