The Candlelight
Sanctuary
Church Page
Acquiring the Benefits of Biblical Wisdom
on Amazon.com
Buckhart Cemetery
and
Family History
Achenbach Cemetery
God Bless America
By Jerry L. Ginther
Wyman Park has been the venue of many Sullivan activities over the years. A few that I can remember are President Nixon's campaign speech, the Buffalo Barbeque, the Kentucky Picnic and the Fourth of July fireworks display. Another big attraction was the carnival, Monarch Exposition Shows, which came to town for the week of the fourth and set up on the American Legion grounds at the south end of Wyman. Checking back in Moultrie County history, I discovered that Abraham Lincoln once gave a speech in Wyman Park in the area close to or now occupied by the Civic Center.
In addition to events, most of us will remember the playground facilities, swings, gliders and other equipment, but especially the giant slide that stood about two stories above the earth at the top end. For a youngster who ascended those steps for the first time, the view from the platform box was dizzying. And, the trip to the bottom was much faster than the ascent. If one sat on a sheet of wax paper, he could almost break the sound barrier before reaching the bottom. The breath taking descent down the slide made the long climb up the stairs to do it again and again well worth the effort.
The lake also holds a few pleasant memories for me. They would not be just of the fireworks display on the fourth of July, but other activities come to mind as well. Not only did I play in its enclosed swimming area, but fishing from its banks would be my very first fishing experience as a boy. Occasionally my grandmother would walk my sister and me from 516 W. Milton St. to the lake for a couple hours of fishing with cane poles. We always caught a few perch, several "crawdads" and sometimes a small catfish or two. It was fun and I can't imagine that kids today wouldn't get excited about catching those first fish if we could pry them loose from their electronic gaming devices.
The week of the carnival always brought some excitement to the community. For a few days it provided some colorful nightlife for our little town. The swirling, multi-colored lights on the rides created a festive atmosphere and the laughter and excited shrieks from the riders could be heard for many blocks. However, the rides were not all of the fun. If you were a guy strolling with your girl down the midway, stopping occasionally to try your skill at one of the many carnival games, you were having a great time and creating memories for both. She would be thrilled if he won a stuffed animal for her. He would be delighted if he was successful. The prize would probably be placed among the pillows on her bed where it would remain for sometime before being relegated to a closet or the bottom of a chest. You'd probably be surprised to know how many ladies still have those "teddy bears" and remember who won them. For me, I have yet another memory of those carnival days. I worked with the pony ride two consecutive years and received free rides on all the others. Great Fun! Life was Good!
Before my time, I understand there were concerts regularly given from the old bandstand that used to be on the east side of the American Legion building. When I was a child I had no idea of the purpose for the structure, because I had never seen it used for anything. Now, I know it as a reminder of another era in Sullivan's history, an era that most of the town folk living here today aren't old enough to remember. Like me, there are probably many who remember the bandstand, but never heard a performance from it. I suppose it became an insignificant relic and eye sore in its deteriorating state and needed extensive repair or destruction. The latter action prevailed. It is gone, but recollected for what it once was as we grew up in Sullivan.
Copyright © 2002 - 2015 Jerry Ginther, All rights reserved worldwide
