In the summer of 1893, Champaign residents had a pleasurable diversion in the form of West End Park, now known as Eisner Park situated between Church Street and University Avenue. Located on the edge of town, the 6 acres of privately owned land opened to the public on June 17, 1893. Featuring a pavilion commanding fine views of the fairground, a ‘casino’ for dancing and concerts, a baseball field, tennis courts, swings for the younger set, shooting galleries, and a refreshment tent the main attraction was the ‘Great Switchback Railroad,’ a forerunner of the rollercoaster, that boasted traveling one-fourth of a mile in 15 seconds. [1]
For 10 cents you could buy a round trip ticket to the park from anywhere in Champaign-Urbana. Over the years the amenities matured to include a bowling alley, outdoor plays, exhibitions of moving pictures using “the wonderful Magniscope,” and vaudeville acts. [2]
During the years of 1910-1920, West End Park became less of an amusement park and more of a ball park hosting local school games and commercial leagues according to announcements in community newspapers. In 1927, West End Park as an entity disappeared from the City Directories. We know that in 1944 West End Park or I.P.L (as it was known then) was purchased by the Eisner Grocery Co. from Illinois Power Co. [3]
The park is described in the Courier article as being largely undeveloped, except for a tennis court covered in weeds. It had been used by the Champaign recreation department for several years as a location for a youth summer program. Later in 1944, Eisner Grocery Co. donated the land to the City of Champaign with the provision that it be used for public park purposes. [4]
Today Eisner Park looks very different, but still serves the community’s needs with a newly installed fully-accessible playground, a baseball field, tennis and basketball courts, and is home to the Hays Recreation Center.
If you would like to see more historical photographs from Champaign County parks visit Champaign County Historical Archives’s digital exhibits for Urbana Park District, Champaign Park District, and Champaign County Forest Preserves.
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[1] Champaign County Gazette. “West End Park,” June 14, 1893.
[2] News-Gazette. Kacich, Tom. “A local vacation spot for those who couldn’t go far,” August 2, 2000. [A-7]
[3] Courier. “West End Park changes hands,” May 28, 1944.
[4] Courier. “Eisner donates West End Park to Champaign,” December 1, 1944.
-Sherrie B., Archives Librarian, Champaign County Historical Archives