North Gleason Park, Gary

North Gleason Park in Gary was first developed in 1920. Originally named Riverside Park, it was renamed after the U.S. Steel Superintendent and park board president William P. Gleason in 1933. The park board segregated the park into north and south parcels using the Little Calumet River as a divider. The north section of the park was designated for African American patrons, the south for Gary’s white residents.[1] The funding for the two sides of the park was never equal, with the south side of the park enjoying more and better quality amenities than the north side, including an 18-hole golf course in South Gleason as opposed to the 9-hole course in North Gleason. Despite the inequality, the African American community in Gary embraced North Gleason Park as their own place to unwind and enjoy.[2]

One of the most popular attractions in North Gleason Park was the 9-hole golf course. Bonded by the love of the sport, golfers at North Gleason Park developed the “Par-Makers” in 1949, a social club that enjoyed hosting tournaments and encouraging competition. The Par-Makers developed a scholarship fund, created a youth golf program, and contributed their time to support local causes within the African American community. The club worked to eliminate exclusion at South Gleason Park’s 18-hole golf course, even using professional boxer Joe Louis to persuade the Gary park board to allow African Americans to play at the South Gleason course.[3] Ann Gregory from Gary, who became the first African American golfer to play in a USGA Championship, also helped break the racial barrier at Gleason Park. After being told she could not play at South Gleason Park by a staff and a groundskeeper, Gregory remarked that “My tax dollars are taking care of the big course and there's no way you can bar me from it. Just send the police out to get me" and she proceeded to play all 18 holes on the south side.[4] Through persistent efforts by African American golfers, the South Gleason Park golf course became integrated by the 1960s.[5]

The North Gleason Park pavilion was another popular space for Gary’s African American community and was used primarily as a boxing gym, but also for meetings and gatherings. Boxing greats such as Angel Manfredy (a popular contender in the 1990s) and “Merciless” Mary McGee (Women's Super Lightweight Champion of the World in December of 2019)[6] were trained in the pavilion under the instruction of retired police officer, John Taylor. Taylor was known for bringing young people in off the streets and turning them into boxing champions.[7] Today, efforts are being made to add the North Gleason Park pavilion to the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, the pavilion is in severe disrepair after years of neglect.[8] However, multiple groups and individuals from Gary have stepped up to offer their labor in hopes of repairing the pavilion for use once again.[9][10]

[1] Indiana Landmarks. Divided History. Indiana Landmarks, 2018. Accessed May 5, 2020. https://www.indianalandmarks.org/2018/11/seeking-a-save-for-gary-north-gleason-park-pavilion
[2] Indiana Landmarks. Divided History.
[3] Indiana Landmarks. Divided History.
[4] Rhonda Glenn. Pioneer Gregory Broke Color Barriers. USGA, 2005. Accessed May 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20090826005546/http://www.usga.org/news/2005/February/Pioneer-Gregory-Broke-Color-Barriers
[5] Indiana Landmarks. Divided History.
[6] Joseph Phillips. Gary’s First boxing champion “Merciless” Mary McGee looks to successfully defend her title on Saturday Night, February 8. Accessed May 7, 2020. https://chicagocrusader.com/garys-first-boxing-champion-merciless-mary-mcgee-looks-to-successfully-defend-her-title-on-saturday-night-february-8
[7] Joseph Pete. Preservationists fighting to save historic boxing gym at Gary's North Gleason Park Pavilion. NWI Times, 2019. Accessed May 7, 2020. https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/preservationists-fighting-to-save-historic-boxing-gym-at-gary-s/article_b56b9379-41b1-5bbe-8383-aefbdfacd040.html
[8] Joseph Pete. Groups hope to save historic Gary site. The Journal Gazette, 2019. Accessed May 7, 2020. https://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20191117/groups-hope-to-save-historic-gary-sit
[9] Indiana Landmarks. Cleanup Kicks Off North Gleason Pavilion Preservation. Indiana Landmarks, 2019. Accessed May 5, 2020. https://www.indianalandmarks.org/2019/12/cleanup-kicks-off-north-gleason-pavilion-preservation
[10] Indiana Landmarks. Cleanup Kicks Off North Gleason Pavilion Preservation.

Student Author: Mary Swartz
Faculty/Staff Editors: Dr. Ronald V. Morris, Dr. Kevin C. Nolan, and Christine Thompson
Graduate Assistant Researchers: Carrie Vachon and JB Bilbrey

PHOTO & VIDEO:
Courtesy Indiana Landmarks https://www.indianalandmarks.org/2018/11/seeking-a-save-for-gary-north-gleason-park-pavilion/