Wintersmith Park Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wintersmith Park Historic District
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Wintersmith Lake
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ada, Oklahoma |
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| Built | 1933–34 |
| Architect | Charles E. Kroeger |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000623 |
| Added to NRHP | 2000 |
Wintersmith Park, also known as the Wintersmith Park Historic District, is a special place in Ada, Oklahoma. It's like a big outdoor museum because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site! The park has a beautiful lake, cool bridges, walking trails, sports courts, and even an outdoor theater. It was named after Frances Wintersmith.
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Discover Wintersmith Park
Wintersmith Park is found on the southeast side of Ada. It's a huge park, covering about 150 acres (0.61 km2) of land. You can find Wintersmith Lake here, along with a public swimming pool and splash park.
There's also a lodge, courts for basketball, softball, volleyball, and horseshoes. If you like to walk or run, there's a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) lighted trail. The park also has eight picnic spots, a playground, a small zoo, and a fun amusement park run by Kiwanis.
Park History: A New Deal Project
Wintersmith Park was built during a tough time in American history called the Great Depression. Many people didn't have jobs. To help, the government started programs like the "New Deal". One of these programs was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
The CCC hired young men to work on projects that helped communities. Work on Wintersmith Park began in 1933. Young men from CCC camp number 824 came to Ada to build the park. They earned $30 each month, which was a big help for their families.
This project was special because it was the first time the National Park Service (NPS) worked with the CCC. Usually, the NPS only worked on big national parks. But for Wintersmith Park, they teamed up!
Together, these groups worked for over a year. They changed 143 acres (0.58 km2) of land into the park we see today. They built the lake, the lodge, bridges, trails, and a unique outdoor theater.
The Amazing Outdoor Amphitheater
The park's outdoor theater, called an amphitheater, was built into a natural hillside. The workers used natural stone found right in the park. They also brought in stone from a nearby town called Fittstown. A team of skilled stonemasons worked for three months to finish it.
When it was done in 1934, the amphitheater was one of the most amazing places in Oklahoma. It hosted many community events. People came for plays, musicals, public speeches, and talent shows.
Over the years, the amphitheater started to show its age. It was used a lot and didn't get much repair. The stone seats broke, cracked, or went missing. The walls holding up the seats also got damaged.
Dr. Marvin Kroeker, a history professor from East Central University, wanted to save the amphitheater. In 2000, he showed the park to Melvena Heisch from the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office. He hoped to get the amphitheater listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
After her visit, Mrs. Heisch thought the whole Wintersmith Park area should be listed. So, the entire park, including the amphitheater, was added to the Register in June 2000. This was a big step!
After the park was listed, Dr. Kroeker found a way to get money for repairs. The Ada city council decided to make the amphitheater their special Oklahoma Centennial project. They applied for money from the Centennial Commission. The project got $150,000 in grants!
Restoration work on the amphitheater began. Volunteers helped clean up weeds and plants. Dirt contractors moved earth to stop erosion. Workers poured new concrete for handicap access. New "butternut" colored stones were put in for the seats.
Future plans include a concrete drop-off area, parking, and buildings for concessions and tickets. There will also be new walkways and a stage. Soon, a special show will celebrate the amphitheater's return, Oklahoma's 100th birthday, and the 75th anniversary of America's New Deal.
Jones Chapel Schoolhouse
The Jones Chapel Schoolhouse, also known as the "Little Red Schoolhouse," is in the park near 18th Street. It first opened in 1907 west of town. It was moved to a different area in 1976, where it was painted red. Then, in 1990, it moved to its current spot in Wintersmith Park.
The schoolhouse has many windows. These windows were important for light and to let air in when the building was used. It's a cool example of an old school building.
Campbell Cabin
Next to the schoolhouse, you'll find the Campbell Cabin. This log cabin is another important historical building in the park. It shows what life was like for pioneers in Ada long ago. It helps us imagine how people lived and made their homes in the early days.
