Mineral Well Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mineral Well Park
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | W. Lake St., Petoskey, Michigan |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | C. H. Hansen |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Petoskey MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 86002036 |
| Added to NRHP | March 25, 1987 |
Mineral Well Park is a special place in Petoskey, Michigan. It sits right next to the Bear River. This park is famous because of its natural mineral waters. People used to come here to drink and bathe in these waters. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This means it's an important historical site!
A Park with a Healing History
Imagine a time when people thought special water could make them feel better! That's how Mineral Well Park began. In 1888, people found mineral waters in Petoskey. Two years later, a scientist named Frank S. Kedzie said Petoskey's waters were the best in Michigan. They were great for bathing and drinking.
People wanted to use these waters. So, a bathhouse and a pavilion were built here. A pavilion is like an open-air building, often used for events. These first buildings were put up around the late 1800s. Today, you can't see them, but their foundations might still be underground.
The city took over the park in 1908. From 1914 to 1916, the city made many improvements. Local groups, like the Federation of Women's Clubs, helped a lot. They added a fish pond, concrete paths, and benches. A new park pavilion was also built in 1915. It was designed by a local architect named C. H. Hansen. The fish pond is now filled in with plants, but most other improvements from that time are still there.
What You'll See at the Park
Mineral Well Park is about two acres in size. That's like two football fields! It's on the east side of the Bear River. The park stretches from the West Mitchell Street Bridge north to West Lake Street.
The park is mostly a flat grassy area. It has some big trees and bushes. You'll find cement paths that lead to the park's main pavilion. Near the pavilion are low, round stone wells. These are the "mineral wells" that give the park its name. There's also a stone wall that used to surround the fish pond. Now, this area is filled with beautiful plants, and it has a bronze fountain in the middle.
The pavilion is a single-story building. It's open to the air and has a cross-shaped roof. Concrete railings go all around the pavilion. Short, round columns hold up the roof. It's a classic design that makes the park feel grand.
