Chautauqua, Part 2
Time Period covered
1907 – 1920 – had one every year
1921 – 1922 – skipped
April 1, 1921 – Kearney Chautauqua
Association voted 3-1 to not have it
President and
treasurer planned to be out of town during the summer
Treasurer also the man who handled tent rental
1923 – Had one
1924 – Skipped
1925 – 1928 – Had one every year
1929 – None – Ended nationwide in 1932
Chautauqua Park Property
1907
Sept. – Dream of extending Chautauqua park over Capitol Hill, extensive
landscaping with trees, flowers, walkways and a lake.
Oct. – Stock to raise funds for purchase of 80 acres were now
available in amounts from $1 up and could be made payable in four
installments.
1908
Mar. – Shares $1 each, $250 raised so far. Goal $5000.
Aug. – Still planning to purchase property to make a permanent park
north of Third Ward
12-15 acres which would be fenced,
planted to trees and grass and artificial lake
At a cost of $5000.
When more money was raised a
permanent pavilion could be built.
Such was the enthusiasm that $1000 worth of stock shares in the corp. were
sold the last afternoon.
Final accounting showed expenses over
income of about $400.
Sept. 1 – S C Bassett suggestion
Chautauqua needed a park and holds
its session in June or July
County fair should be held in the
county seat,
needs the same kind of facilities only with more buildings to display its
exhibits
holds its session in August,
The two should consider joining
efforts
Oct. – Association called for payment of subscriptions so 14 acres of
land north and west of the park could be purchased at a cost of $2400.
1909
Over the winter three blocks were purchased just north of Third Ward Park
Options on a fourth “where the large
tent had stood in the last two years. “
Intend to put a small lake in the
north end of the land.
It was thought the city would be able
to help in the beautification of the area since the Chautauqua only two
weeks out of the year and the public can use it the rest of the time.
Won’t be able to afford to build the
pavilion this year.
June – City Council passed an ordinance to form Kearney Chautauqua
Park.
Close 31st & 32nd St. between 5th &
7th Ave.
Close 6th Ave between 33rd St. and
the alley between 30th & 31st St.
[area north and west of original
block that was Third Ward Park]
Aug – There was enthusiasm for building the lake on their property.
A contractor estimated cost of dirt
moving.
Water would be piped from the east
end of Kearney Lake.
1910
Apr. – A contractor began the work of Parking the Chautauqua.
[basically planting grass]
Included planting 500 trees around
the grounds
July – “Improvement of Chautauqua park has gone forward as far as the
funds in hand would permit. Two rows of trees have been set out around the
entire tract…..”
Aug. – Chautauqua association and Commercial Club leaders met.
Commercial Club asked City Council to
revive its park plan.
Commercial Club voted to sell $500 in
stock to complete horticultural landscape plans including a fairly large
lake north of Third Ward park which could be used for skating by children
whose parents feared the depth of Kearney Lake.
Plans currently before the City
Council were to make this park a sort of fairgrounds where the county fair
or fall festivals could be held.
1913
Feb. – City Council passed ordinance to put a bond issue up for vote
$40,000 for parks including
purchasing a strip of land [location not given]
to enlarge
Chautauqua park and make improvements including a large auditorium
The fair association could build a
track and such buildings as they deemed necessary for holding fairs.
Apr. – Park Bonds are Defeated.
Lost by about 600 votes, getting
about 25% of votes cast.
Then Chautauqua moved around in Kearney
1919 – held on the High School grounds. [This would have been
Longfellow down town]
1920 – back at the Chautauqua grounds.
1921 – The Association is out of debt and owns 11 acres of inside
property [inside the city limits?]
[Location not given] [Is 3 blocks = to 11 acres?]
1923 – New brown tent to be pitched on the half block immediately
east of St. James school.
1925 – 1928 - “at the old Chautauqua grounds at the Third Ward park.”
Noteworthy Chautauquas
1908
Dates July 4-12.
Each evening to conclude with moving
pictures. Different each night.
In past years surrounding towns in
the county have had celebrations but Kearney has been relatively quiet.
This year the Fourth of July program
will end with a “monster display of fireworks.”
$500
collection of fireworks.
Program for July 4
10 a.m. parade including fire
equipment,
then hose race to throw water,
hook and ladder exhibition,
high dive,
all kinds of races.
2 p.m. to Chautauqua park for
afternoon program.
9 p.m. Grounds open for free
admission to fireworks.
1909
Some problems.
Kearney Day attendance lower
[Afternoon]
Speaker, Sen. Morris Brown could not attend.
Evening
program had a conflict with another event in the city.
Saturday attendance lower
Afternoon,
Ringling Circus performed
Evening a
storm cancelled the program altogether.
1918
Draft boys were guests at first Chautauqua performance
1919
July 25, 1919 – “As a substitute number for the lecture on ‘Problems of the
Air,’ by Lieutenant Andrew Nielson, who for some reason was not able to make
the trip by airplane to Kearney….......”
1920
Chautauqua was an important part of
Normal School summer program
Held the last week of the Normal
School session.
July 29, 1920 – One of the Chautauqua
speakers agreed to give the commencement address at the Normal School.
Friday, July 30, 1920 – Large crowd
expected for Sunday afternoon and evening performances.
People were reminded that city ordinance prohibited sale of tickets on
Sunday
They should buy them ahead if time.
1923
Chautauqua Aug. 20-25
Big problem – Chautauqua and fair to
be held at the same time.
Chautauqua
management did not check of fair dates until it was too late to change
bookings.
The fair
included three days of horse racing
"See exhibits
at fair between Chautauqua programs."
As a result - “The Chautauqua was a
financial failure this year….”
1927
July 6 – Guarantors of Chautauqua to meet that evening.
Important that all 50 be there.
Rumors that
Chautauqua has been cancelled are not true.
July 1927 – Fifteen guarantors showed up and elected officers.
They decided
that any profit would be donated to Harmon Field.
Aug 9 – [last day] For the first time in 10 years the Chautauqua was
expected to go over the top financially.
Profits would
go to Harmon Field.
[post event evaluation] Chautauqua declared a success.
They had thought there would be a
small amount left over
but with some expenses higher than expected they broke even.
But all were excited about next year.
Profit for Harmon Field expected next
year.
Sept. 18, 1927 – Sum of Sixty-Two Cents is Cleared
Chautauqua Association Gives it to
Harmon Field
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