Mitchell Park

The lovely open two-acre green space at 10^th and Duncan boasts welcoming shade trees and plenty of benches on which to sit and enjoy the atmosphere of one of St. Joseph’s oldest neighborhoods. Duncan Street, which forms its northern boundary, is one of the few remaining brick-paved streets in the city.

Mitchell Park, gifted to the city by David D. and Alexander M. Mitchell on May 15, 1855, is one of the oldest parks in St. Joseph. For many years it was one of the most decorative public spaces in the city. In the decades following the Civil War, several attempts were made to install a wooden fence around the park; however, these attempts were frustrated when citizens repeatedly stole the fencing for use as firewood.

     In 1884, the park was leased to florist Daniel M. Reichard to be used as a site for a greenhouse. In December 1885 Reichard announced that the greenhouses were “built and are now ready for business. Our houses are light, commodiuous and conveniently arranged. Our stock of plants is composed of carefully selected varieties.” For several years, the Mitchell Park Greenhouse provided cut flowers and plants to the people of St. Joseph. The improvements to the site made by Reichard were believed to increase the value of the park. In 1890, Reichard’s lease expired and was not renewed by the city.

     The plan in 1890 was to regrade the site, install a new fence, plant trees and build walks. As the site was improved and developed, it became an increasingly popular place for civic gatherings, notably summertime concerts by the Municipal Band. There was discussion of designating the park as a memorial park for those who served in the Civil War.

     There was a downside to this popularity. The park became known as a favorite spot for disreputable behavior by the city’s criminal element. In June 1893, the St. Joseph Gazette stated, “The darkest spot in the city is Mitchell Park. It is the hiding place of a great deal that is disreputable, after darkness comes, instead of being a resort for families, as it should be. Criminals could hide in Mitchell Park after dark and escape the vigilance of the police.” A request was made to the City Council for the installation of electric lighting at the park. In October 1903, 17-year-old Will McDonald was fined $100 for “attempting to flirt in Mitchell Park with Julia Nolting. Besides, this, McDonald is said to have used insulting language towards Mrs. Nolting, when she requested him to desist, and followed it up by knocking Mr. Nolting down, when he attempted to interfere.” A decade later, the Gazette reported “an interesting story in which Bobby Wagh and our or five of his pugilist friends, including Kid Brown, the ‘Flying Dutchman,’ and Clyde Dwight figure, has been circulated about the city the past two days. It appears that Bobby and his companions attended a recent band concert at Mitchell Park, and while there, became engaged in an altercation with some of the young bloods of that vicinity. When the post office clock struck the hour of 12, the Waugh crowd was in the downtown district of the city, having been chased to the lights by the Mitchell Park crowd.”

     In 1919, the city began a program of improvements at Mitchell Park. A bandstand and shelter house were built. Famed landscape architect George Burnham designed a colonnade and fountain for the park which were completed in 1921. The colonnade was comprised of a row of four large concrete columns on the south side of the park with a decorative urn, from which water spilled into a semi-circular pool. The whole installation was flanked by concrete seats with a background of cedar trees.

     Today, Mitchell Park is an inviting open green space.

Index File, “Park Data and Ordinance Cards by Location, 1911-1972.”

St. Joseph Gazette, June 1, 1875.

St. Joseph Gazette, July 13, 1882.

“As to Mitchell Park,” St. Joseph Gazette, Aug. 7, 1884.

“The Mitchell Park Greenhouses,” St. Joseph Gazette, Dec. 2, 1885.

‘The Floral Display,” St. Joseph Gazette, Sept. 3, 1886.

“Chrysanthemums,” St. Joseph Gazette, Nov. 4, 1888.

“Public Parks,” St. Joseph News Press, Jan. 1, 1889.

“The Park Committee,” St. Joseph Herald, Sept. 11, 1890.

St. Joseph Gazette, Oct. 14, 1890.

“A Memorial Park,” St. Joseph Herald, May 23, 1891.

“The Fourth Event,” St. Joseph News Press, Aug. 23, 1892.

St. Joseph News Press, Aug. 25, 1892.

“A Dark Spot,” St. Joseph Gazette, June 16, 1893.

“No Flirting Allowed,” St. Joseph News Press, Oct. 15, 1903.

St. Joseph Gazette, Aug. 25, 1913.

“Crowds at Band Concerts,” St. Joseph News Press, July 18, 1918.

“Preparing to Beautify Mitchell Park Design,” St. Joseph Gazette, Feb. 14, 1919.

“Mitchell Park Work Ordered Expedited,” St. Joseph Gazette, Jan. 24, 1920.

“Pretty Mitchell Park,” St. Joseph News Press, Jan. 12, 1921.

“Adding Beauty to the Parks and Boulevards,” St. Joseph News Press, May 5, 1921.