Then: Our Park
The city of Grand Rapids was settled in 1826 and became an incorporated village in 1838. It was incorporated as a city in 1850. The original city boundaries were Straight Avenue to the West, Leonard Street to the North, Eastern Avenue to the East and Wealthy Street to the South.
The Provins started investing in land in Grand Rapids in about 1887. The first acres they purchased were just outside the King Park boundaries and are formally called L.S. Provin’s Addition and L.S. Provin’s 2nd Addition but became known as “Elmridge”. The Provins themselves moved to this neighborhood and their home still stands on Prince Southeast. Estelle Provin also invested in the King Park Neighborhood. Many homes lying between Alexander Avenue and Hall Street, East of Fuller Street are in Estelle’s Addition and Estelle’s Second Addition.
The King Park area would have been considered “the country” until the early 1900’s, when the streetcar route was expanded to Fuller and Hall. Parts of today’s King Park Neighborhood are described in a booklet published in 1908 to celebrate 5th Avenue (which is Franklin Ave SE today). The Souvenir 5th Avenue Celebration booklet was essentially a real estate advertisement that corresponded with the extension of the streetcar line.
Initially, the city did not want to invest the money of expanding city water so far out of the city. However, the Provins were so certain that the neighborhood would be desirable, that they paid out-of-pocket to have the water mains extended. Once the lots were sold and homes were built, the city eventually refunded the Provins expenses.
According to the Souvenir:
. . . purchasing and platting of which Mr. and Mrs. Provin have shown their faith and interest in the growing qualities of the section of our city, and today that faith is being realized, for what was once the lonely “Katydid Farm” is converted into beautiful home lots where all modern conveniences may be had, and the Fifth Avenue [now named Franklin] street car line extended brings them three-quarters of a mile “closer in” then they used to seem.
The Souvenir discusses the Moody homestead, which was located near Fifth Avenue and East Street (today's Franklin and Eastern). The Moody’s were the first white settlers in the area. It also mentions J.G. Alexander and Jacob Winsor who were also landowners in the King Park area. These names continue on as evidenced by the parcel and street names of our neighborhood.
The Provins started investing in land in Grand Rapids in about 1887. The first acres they purchased were just outside the King Park boundaries and are formally called L.S. Provin’s Addition and L.S. Provin’s 2nd Addition but became known as “Elmridge”. The Provins themselves moved to this neighborhood and their home still stands on Prince Southeast. Estelle Provin also invested in the King Park Neighborhood. Many homes lying between Alexander Avenue and Hall Street, East of Fuller Street are in Estelle’s Addition and Estelle’s Second Addition.
The King Park area would have been considered “the country” until the early 1900’s, when the streetcar route was expanded to Fuller and Hall. Parts of today’s King Park Neighborhood are described in a booklet published in 1908 to celebrate 5th Avenue (which is Franklin Ave SE today). The Souvenir 5th Avenue Celebration booklet was essentially a real estate advertisement that corresponded with the extension of the streetcar line.
Initially, the city did not want to invest the money of expanding city water so far out of the city. However, the Provins were so certain that the neighborhood would be desirable, that they paid out-of-pocket to have the water mains extended. Once the lots were sold and homes were built, the city eventually refunded the Provins expenses.
According to the Souvenir:
. . . purchasing and platting of which Mr. and Mrs. Provin have shown their faith and interest in the growing qualities of the section of our city, and today that faith is being realized, for what was once the lonely “Katydid Farm” is converted into beautiful home lots where all modern conveniences may be had, and the Fifth Avenue [now named Franklin] street car line extended brings them three-quarters of a mile “closer in” then they used to seem.
The Souvenir discusses the Moody homestead, which was located near Fifth Avenue and East Street (today's Franklin and Eastern). The Moody’s were the first white settlers in the area. It also mentions J.G. Alexander and Jacob Winsor who were also landowners in the King Park area. These names continue on as evidenced by the parcel and street names of our neighborhood.
Martin Luther King Park itself was once part of an open stretch of land owned by the Highlands Golf Club and it served as a golf course. The course was also the home of the Grand Rapids Golf Club and the Fifth Avenue Golf Club. The land was purchased by the city in 1911 to establish Franklin Park. The cost for the nearly 17 acre parcel was $19,000.
The Franklin Park lodge was designed by the Benjamin and Weemhof architectural firm and was opened in 1922. In total, $20,000 was spent to build the swimming pool, lodge and 14 “championship” tennis courts. But it was money well spent, as people in the early 1920's were traveling from out of town just to visit Franklin Park to participate not only in championship tennis matches, but also swimming contests.
The Franklin Park lodge was designed by the Benjamin and Weemhof architectural firm and was opened in 1922. In total, $20,000 was spent to build the swimming pool, lodge and 14 “championship” tennis courts. But it was money well spent, as people in the early 1920's were traveling from out of town just to visit Franklin Park to participate not only in championship tennis matches, but also swimming contests.
Sources for this article:
- https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/About/City-of-Grand-Rapids-Facts-and-History. Web 21 May 2020.
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/1853_Grand_Rapids%2C_Michigan.jpg
- Souvenir 5th Ave Celebration. 2 July 1908 (Advertisement with pictures of plats). Grand Rapids Public Library, Ephemera Conference/Events, p 32-33. Collection Number 216, Box 18.
- Madden, O. , & Reenders, N. (1997). 1100 Underwood: Then and Now. Unpublished Manuscript.
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Now: Our Park
Since its inception, this neighborhood has had both ups and downs. There have been times of great growth, prosperity and vibrant community engagement. There have also been times of turmoil.
In recent years, the neighborhood has experienced many positive improvements and community vibrancy. There is now a nice mixture of young families, middle agers, and young couples of various cultures and races, which makes for a dynamic diverse community. There are also many residents engaging together and with our community in positive ways, such as farmers markets, neighbors helping and checking in with each other and major events in MLK Park. Of course, there’s always going to be something to improve upon, whether it is too much noise, someone driving too fast or litter in the alleys. But we feel that this community is on the right course and believe we are becoming more connected, more diverse and more accepting of, and engaged with, each other. Our newly formed neighborhood association will bring us together even more so as we look forward to making our community safer and helping our youth, seniors and neighbors in need. With your help, this neighborhood can be better, stronger and united.
In recent years, the neighborhood has experienced many positive improvements and community vibrancy. There is now a nice mixture of young families, middle agers, and young couples of various cultures and races, which makes for a dynamic diverse community. There are also many residents engaging together and with our community in positive ways, such as farmers markets, neighbors helping and checking in with each other and major events in MLK Park. Of course, there’s always going to be something to improve upon, whether it is too much noise, someone driving too fast or litter in the alleys. But we feel that this community is on the right course and believe we are becoming more connected, more diverse and more accepting of, and engaged with, each other. Our newly formed neighborhood association will bring us together even more so as we look forward to making our community safer and helping our youth, seniors and neighbors in need. With your help, this neighborhood can be better, stronger and united.
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