Hermann Park - History

History

• 1899 – Mayor Sam Brashear selected and purchased a site that would later on become the city’s first park in June 1899. The size of the land was 20.43 acres (8.27 ha) for $26,000. Prior to the purchase of the park, he formed the first park committee who oversaw the purchase and would later become Sam Houston Park.
• 1907 – The Houston Civic Club placed The Browner Statue donated to the City of Houston in Sam Houston Park. Over the years it has been stolen and recovered several times before finally residing in front of Miller Outdoor Theatre.
• 1914 – George E. Kessler designed the entrance of Hermann Park.
• 1924 – Hermann Park grew to 133.5 acres (54.0 ha) with the addition of the Golf Course in 1922, which completed construction in 1924. Its main feature that it had grass greens as opposed to the more commonly used sand in other cities and was well received by golfers.
• 1936 – for the City’s 100th anniversary, the Daughters of Republic of Texas had a log cabin constructed in Hermann Park as a memorial to pioneer men and women.
• 1957 – Southern Pacific steam engine #982 was dedicated at Hermann Park and the Mini-train service was established. The locomotive would later be relocated to Minute Maid Park.