The land for Antlers Park was acquired by the City through a number of purchases from the existing park owners and some neighbors. Funding was provided through a variety of sources, including the Park Improvement Fund and state/federal grants such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
1907-1910
Colonel Marion Savage filed articles of incorporation for the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, and Dubuque Electric Traction Company (a.k.a. the Dan Patch Line) to connect his many business enterprises by rail. The Dan Patch Line was named for his famous racehorse. Colonel Savage purchased 40 acres on the east side of Prairie Lake, renaming it Lake Marion after himself. He and several partners had a dream of building an amusement park along the Dan Patch Line and the railroad would transport people to the park.
Antlers Park opened on July 4, 1910. It became one of the most famous amusement parks in the upper Midwest. It contained a lavish dancing pavilion; a swimming beach with a diving tower and high sliding chute; a boat dock with sailboats, rowboats, and canoes; a children’s playground with a miniature operating train; tennis courts, athletic fields, a baseball diamond with grandstand, and an aerial swing. The luxury excursion cars on the Dan Patch Line brought thousands of visitors each summer.
1917
George P. and Catherine O’Rourke purchased Antlers Park at the receivership auction for $16,000. O’Rourke, an engineer with General Electric, which provided the traction engines used on the railroad, is credited with providing the illumination of the park by utilizing one of the electric locomotives from the Dan Patch Line. He also built a 9-hole golf course and an 18-hole golf course east of the park. Antlers Park enjoyed 15 years of fun, fame, and glory until succumbing to the advent of the automobile, the depression of the 1930s, and World War II.
1972-1974
The City began to take ownership of the park property in late 1972, and upgrades to the park were made over the next few years. At the time of the City’s purchase, some of the structures still existed, but only the dance pavilion was preserved for use by the public. For some time, the pavilion could be rented by the public in much the same way that the park shelters are rented today. Additional upgrades to improve functionality of the park were completed, including expanding and grading the beach area, installing grills and benches, and improving trails.
1987
The park underwent additional improvements to the parking area, beach, shoreline, and playground.
2021 Park Bond Referendum
Funding for the expansion and reconstruction of the park was approved as part of the 2021 Park Bond Referendum. The project included the construction of the John Hennen Pavilion, three park shelters, an ADA playground, an expanded shoreline, and a variety of new amenities. City staff collaborated with the developer to design a park that showcased the park's historical glory. The John Hennen Pavilion was constructed in the footprint of the original dance pavilion, and railroad elements were worked into the design of the plaza and playground. The park reopened on May 22, 2024.
