The Rockport Democrat, September 6, 1935

Article was typed as it was worded in the newspaper.

The New Rockport Lincoln Pioneer Village and Shrine To Be Enlarged by the WPA; The Plans Are Approved

Drawing of Village

The above drawing by George H. Honig, Rockport sculptor, and reproduced by courtesy of the Evansville Courier, show the proposed layout for a WPA project to enlarge the Lincoln pioneer shrine from the village, which was dedicated July 4, to include a recreation field, a lake, and an island. The project, which already has the approval of the district PWA head, John K. Jennings, would employ 106 men for four months. Federal funds amounting to $20,268 are being asked. When the project is completed Rockport will become the recreational, as well as the historical center of the Tri-State.

The Lincoln pioneer shrine begun here by the Spencer County Historical society with CWA and FERA labor, will be enlarged soon by WPA to include a lake and recreation field to complement the recently dedicated "pioneer village." Word from District Administrator John K. Jennings, states that the project has been approved locally and will be sent to Indianapolis for confirmation there.

George H. Honig, Rockport sculptor, who designed the village and drew up the new plans, estimated the project would employ 100 men for three or four months. The official request asks for 106 men and $20,268 of federal funds.

The virtually-approved project includes improvement of the recreation field and a five-acre lake at the east end of the plot of land now encircled by a half-mile race track. The 20,000 cubic yards of dirt to be excavated for the lake will be used to create an island, 200 feet in diameter, in the center of the lake, and to level off the field.

Later, according to plan, a corn-cracker mill and water wheel will be erected on the island, and a replica of the Lincoln flatboat that carried the young man to New Orleans, will cross the lake between the island and a pier on the southern side of the water.

Aside from affording a floating place for the flatboat, the lake will serve as a swimming center. A 400-foot sand beach and a wading pool will be constructed on the western side of the lake, and a shelter house and dressing rooms will be built on the island, connected with the beach by a rustic bridge.

On the recreation field will be a quarter-mile track with a 100-yard straight away, encompassing a regulation baseball diamond. Bleachers seating 1,500 persons will be constructed.

Also located on the field will be tennis courts, horseshoe facilities, game playgrounds, and a merry-go-round.

Facing the lake, a row of poplar trees will be planted. Trees will also landscape the eastern and northern shores of the lake.

The pioneer village of almost a dozen buildings, dedicated July 4 at a ceremony attended by 10,000 Tri-State persons, stands at the southeast turn of the track, opposite the site of the proposed lake.

When the lake, island, and recreation field are completed, it is hoped that another project to build five more buildings in the village can be undertaken.