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Howard City Park

Howard Park - provides a playground area, rest area, and is home to Fairfield's Farmers market.

Location - North Main Street at Grimes Ave.

During the Civil War this land was used as a mustering area (see the plaque in the southwest corner).   The Franklin School was here from 1868 to 1913.

In 1912 the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bought the land for a new train station and was persuaded to give the remaining land back to the city (with the proviso that it remain a park).

It was named Howard Park in honor of Elmer A. Howard, a vice-president of the railroad.

The first train had arrived on September 1, 1858, a very important event for Fairfield (the original station was at 6th Street).

The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad eventually became today's BNSF. Amtrak passenger service to Fairfield ceased on May 1, 1971.

The Fairfield Farmers Market is held in Howard Park.
The Fairfield Farmers Market is held in Howard Park.

Pergola built by volunteers. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

Close up of pergola. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

During a Farmers Market. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

Quiet time. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

Farmers Market. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

Farmers Market. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

Farmers Market. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

Farmers Market. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

Farmers Market. Photo by Werner Elmker.
Shelter.

The Farmers Market, Saturday, Aug 28, 2010.
The Farmers Market, Saturday, Aug 28, 2010.

Food, flowers, crafts, entertainment...
Food, flowers, crafts, entertainment....

More booths.
More booths.

Pastries for sale.
Howard Park. Pastries for sale.

Even works of art.
Howard Park. Even works of art.

Need fresh eggs with your paintings?
Howard Park. Need fresh eggs with your paintings?

The playground.
The playground.

Can I play too?
Can I play too?

"I have to take this call".
I have to take this call.

The picnic shelter, with the Memorial Stone in front.
The picnic shelter, with the Memorial Stone in front.

In 1912, Elmer A. Howard, then a vice-president of the C, B & Q railroad, persuaded them to give land for this park.
In 1912, Elmer A. Howard, then a vice-president of the C, B & Q railroad, persuaded them to give land for this park.

The Civil War plague is mounted on the rock in the foreground.   Need a massage at the Farmers Market?
The Civil War plague is mounted on the rock in the foreground.

Jefferson County citizens fought in the Civil War.
Jefferson County citizens fought in the Civil War.

The retired Amtrak railroad station at the north end of the park, still owned by BNSF Railroad.
The retired Amtrak railroad station at the north end of the park, still owned by BNSF Railroad.

View of the park from the train station.   Passenger service to Fairfield ended on May 1, 1971.
The view of the park from the train station.

Volunteers just finished installing a pergola (Aug 19, 2010).   Pavers will be installed later, and vines planted.
Volunteers just finished installing a pergola (Aug 19, 2010).

Dave and Sheri Neff inspect the work.   They are heading the project to improve the park.
Dave and Sheri Neff inspect the work.   They are heading the project to improve the park.

Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, Aug 2010.

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