The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-12-27
5h ACRE
FIELD FOR
ATHLETICS
Mayor Brown Announces Hand
some Xmas Present to
Hammond

nc HUhIcIpdi SOCK held five and
half acres of real estate. donated by
the city's leading citizen. A. Murray
Turner
The real estate has a frontage Of 500
feet on the Grand Calumet river and
the east boundary is within 200 feet
Of Calumet avenue. The south line
of the gift property is the alley north
or Michigan avenue.
The deed TO the valuable acreage
was rendered the city in letter TO
Mayor Brown In which Mr.. Turner
modestly announces the present and
requests that the land be converted in
to an athletic field and playground for
the public.
VALUABLE PROPERTY.
The property is worth not less than
$3.50 and real estate men estimate
that Il would be a good investment at
$4,000.
The probable value Of the tract OF
land when the river is dredged and
made navigable for traffic from the
Great Lakes cannot be estimated.
Mr. Turner was prompted in his gift
because he was informed that the par
ticular site was ideally situated for an
athletic field. 1t Is the street car
line and centrally located. not only
for the various sections OF Hammond
but for neighboring cities that pa
tronize local athletics
There WAS nothing that a greater
number OF people would appreciate as
greatly as Mr.. Turner's gift.
CALL 1T TURNER FIELD
In giving the news to the paper,
Mayor Brown suggested that the field
be known as Turner Field" as a mark
Of the gratitude Of this and future gen
erations.
It is beyond doubt the most substan-
tial gift that was ever made to Ham
mcnd. The city has been without a
ball park for two years When her
1000 soldiers returned from the war
there was talk of a memorial field in
their honor. The city was not fnanc-
tally able at the time.
Except to n very few, who were in
his confidence. Mr.. Turner's gift is a
complete SURPRISE.
The city council will be asked T.
build fence and grand stand and pre-
pare the field so that the park may he
used in the spring.
The park will be the property OF the
city and permi ssion for its use may be,
obtained at the city hall.
Mr.. Turner is president Of the First
National Bank and has been identified
with the Industrial. financial. political
and social life of the city for a quarter
Of century.
Mr.. Turner states In his letter he is
Indebted TO Col. LeGrand T. Meyer.
from whom he purchased a part Of the
parcel of land. Col. Meyer sold the
land to Mr. Turner at cost price in
view of the purpose to which 1t was to
be converted and sustained consider
able loss in interest and taxes Mr.
rurner states.
In acknowledging receipt of the let
ter from Mr.. Turner Mayor Brown
this afternoon said that the banker
had done a lasting good for the city.
1T Will be a great advancement for
athletics In Hammond. said the Mayor
Greater than that. however. the spirit
Of the gift Is a boon to the morale OF
the city and 1t Is on that spirit of CO.
operation and civic pride that a great
er Hammond viii grow"
Mr Turner's letter to the Mayor AMI
city council follows:
First National Bank, Hammond. Ind
December 10. 1921.
To the Honorable Mayor and Common
Council of the City of Hammond
Sirs:-Recognizing that our city Is
in need of a centrally located and \
properly equipped athletic neld and
'ecslling that on numerous occasions
attention has been called to a parcel
of land which I own. comprising about
i've and one-half acres, located on the
'outh bank of the Calumet river be-
tween Holman street and Calumet
avenue, which seems TO have been gen
9rally considered suitable for such use
therefore take great pleasure, should
fou be willing to accept same. in pre-
senting said property to the city O.
Hammond. by proper deed Of convey
lnce. free of incumbrance. and subject
My TO the city and county taxes. which
'ecome due next year. for use as
and amusement park
desire to make the conveyance so
IS TO give the city full and complete
light TO use the property for other
purposes or sell same in the event It's
etention for the purposes named.
would, in the Judgment Of the Mayo
Ind council become incompatible With
he best interests OF the city. provided
lowever should the property be used
~ the city for other purposes or sold,
II that event, the city is to purchase
mother parcel of ground to be used
or like purposes oe not less value or
&C essibility.
While do not want It to be a part
+ the consideration. should you see
It to accept my offer, yet / very much
-ope that through the friendly offices
f the city some plan may be developed
0 at least fence and grade the prop
rty so that il may be available for
Sc during the summer OF 1922.
Should you see fit to accept the
above offer. desire TO acknowledge
he generosity of Col. l. T. Meyer.
eretofore a joint owner with ms, who
n consideration of the proposed plan
as sold me his interest at the origin
/ cost price. thus enabling me to offer
he property in its entirety. BY so
Ioing he has entailed a considerable
: in the matter OF interest and In
axes.
Respectfully yours.
A. II. TUHNWR