Howard Park, Fairfield City Park - scroll down for more photos
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.