This piece of riverfront property, now a public park and recreation area, was once home to the Native Americans that lived along the Fox River Valley. On the arrival of Evan Shelby, St. Charles's first white settler, in the 1830s, the land in this area ceased to be that of the Native Americans. Calvin Ward purchased the property which encompasses the park from Shelby in 1835 for $75. A park pavillion was built in 1890. In July 1911, first action was taken to develop the area into a riverfront park. (Read more on the St. Charles Public Library's website.)