Go to the Winamac Town Park entrance

I like the swings best

About

Early History and Origins

Native American Roots: Long before European settlement, the peninsula served as hunting and fishing grounds for the Potawatomi people. The name "Winamac" itself translates to "catfish" in their language.
Barnett’s Grove: In the mid-1800s, the land was known as Barnett’s Grove or Barnett’s Peninsula, named after pioneer resident W.C. Barnett. During this era, it was primarily used as a pasture for local cattle.
Nye’s Pavilion: In 1891, John C. Nye purchased the property. He added incandescent lights and commissioned an octagon pavilion. Although he allowed the public to use it as a park, he struggled with maintenance costs and nearly sold it for private development in 1908.

The Park Association & Town Ownership

Community Rescue: To prevent the land from being cleared of its timber, local citizens raised $5,000 in a single day in 1908 to purchase the property and formed the Winamac Park Association.
Modern Development (1920s): In 1922, the association partnered with the Winamac Kiwanis Club to transform the park into a tourist destination, adding playground equipment, bathhouses, a bandstand, and a dance pavilion.
Town Integration: By the 1930s, ownership was transferred to the Town of Winamac. The iconic stone gateway, featuring busts of Native Americans, was completed in 1934 and has since gained national recognition for its artwork.

Today, the park covers nearly 40 acres and hosts major local events, including the Pulaski County 4-H Fair and the Northern Indiana Power from the Past antique tractor show.

Looking down from the stone entry are two strong men.
But they’re not from Winamac, not way back then.
Read the dedication and you will find,
they are meant to represent this Indian tribe.

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