ParkTalk Blog: Naperville’s Central Park: A Peek Into the Past

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Central Park Overview

Central Park is known to many Naperville residents and frequent visitors as a beautiful, picturesque park with unique features at every corner. Located in the heart of the bustling downtown, visitors gather year-round to play on the engaging playground, enjoy a live band concert, relax underneath the gazebo or take a leisurely stroll along the path under the many large shade trees. However, beyond all of the physical aspects of the location, Central Park has a long, rich history and has served as an important open space in the community for generations.

The land Central Park sits on was the site of the first DuPage County Courthouse in 1839 before it was relocated to Wheaton in 1868. In 1875, the county board deemed the area as a “public park,” and it functioned as the main public gathering space in Naperville for many years. Various improvements and additions have been made to the park over time, like the construction of the Central Park Gazebo in 1990. Thanks to donations from the Naperville Evening Kiwanis Club and other community groups, the gazebo added another delightful feature to Central Park where visitors can relax under a shaded area or enjoy a concert from the Naperville Municipal Band.

Iconic gazebo located in the middle of Central Park.

Since 1859, Central Park has served as the main performance space for the Naperville Municipal Band (NMB), a community band comprised of dedicated musicians. The band has performed on four different bandstands throughout its 150-plus year history. The current space, the Naperville Community Concert Center, was added on to the Elmer Koerner Memorial Bandshell in 2003. In 2005, the city commissioned a mural for the stage door, titled “The Great Concerto,” which depicts the various bandstands since the NMB’s inception. From a humble gazebo to the great stage they use today, the band continues to enhance lives with art and music.

Bandshell and seating on the south end of Central Park.

In 1986, the Naperville Park District signed a long-term lease agreement with the City of Naperville to maintain Central Park’s gazebo, site furnishings, landscaping and other amenities. The Park District works with city staff on future initiatives and capital projects related to Central Park. For example, the Park District officially reopened a newly renovated playground at Central Park in August 2024. Following the same procedure as other Park District capital projects, area residents gave input on playground designs and site improvements. These renovations brought new playground equipment to Central Park while keeping the natural shade and aesthetic beauty of the mature trees intact.

Ribbon cutting event at the renovated playground in Central Park.

The history of Naperville is interwined with with the history of Central Park. Historical monuments and statues are scattered throughout the park. Touring each landmark transports visitors back to the past as the monuments honor veterans across various American wars and paint a picture of the earliest days of the community.

Statues and Monuments - History on Display

Naperville Centennial Marker

Monument memorializing the first village board of Naperville.

Located along Washington Street near one of the entrances to the park, is a monument dedicated to the first village board of Naperville. The plaque lists the names of board members led by board president and founder of Naperville, Captain Joseph Naper. In 1831, Naper arrived at the west bank of the DuPage River with friends and family and established Naper’s Settlement. The settlement’s population flourished and in 1857, Naper’s Settlement was incorporated as the Village of Naperville. The monument was erected in 1931 during the Naperville Centennial, 100 years after the founding of Naper’s Settlement.

DuPage County Centennial Marker

Monument commemorating the first centennial of DuPage County.

On the east side of the park, adjacent to the parking lot, is another centennial monument laid in recognition of the DuPage County Centennial. In 1839, DuPage County was carved out of the larger Cook County. The monument was placed 100 years later in 1939, listing the first county officers, 1939 county officials and the County Board of Supervisors.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Soldiers and Sailors Monument adjacent to park benches.

Near the DuPage Centennial Marker is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. This memorial honors DuPage County veterans across multiple wars throughout America’s history, including the Black Hawk War (1832), the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), and the Civil War (1861-1865). The monument was placed in 1896 by the Walter Blanchard Post 386 Grand Army of the Republic. The Spanish-American War (1898) was added to monument two years after its installation. 

Veterans' Valor

Statue of local World War II veterans.

At the intersection of Washington Street and Van Buren Avenue, near the Naperville Centennial Marker, visitors are greeted with the Veteran’s Valor statue. Installed in 2006, the statue depicts the story of five World War II veterans from various military branches who grew up in Naperville. All of them returned home safely with high military honors: four received the Silver Star and one received the Distinguished Flying Cross. This statue represents the heroism and patriotism of all local men and women and their sacrifices to keep their country safe.

Civil War Cannon

Civil War cannon located on the southeast side of the park.

One of the most unique monuments in Central Park is the Civil War Cannon, a rare, 954-pound artillery weapon. The cannon was purchased by the Village of Naperville in 1871 from Willard Scott Jr., a lieutenant in Company B, 105th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War. Before the cannon was plugged permanently and mounted to concrete in 1909, the cannon was allegedly fired for special events and civic activities, such as Independence Day and parades. In 2009, through the support of the City of Naperville, the Naperville Park District, the Rotary Club of Naperville, and the Naperville Evening Kiwanis, it was restored and mounted on an aluminum carriage, replicating the original wooden carriage.

Laughing Lincoln

Statue of Abraham Lincoln on the east side of the park.

Before becoming the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln began his political career in the Illinois House of Representatives alongside Naperville founder, Joe Naper. The statue depicts 30-year-old Lincoln during his time as a lawyer and state legislator and commemorates the site of the first DuPage County Courthouse. Lincoln played a large part in the founding of DuPage County as he voted in support of Naper’s initiative to form the county, a motion that was against his party’s stance. The statue was commissioned in 2015 by the Wehrli family and Century Walk after the passing of former Naperville City Council and longtime Central Park advocate, Don Wehrli.