Terre Haute ‘Gem’ Lands Historic Designation

Rea Park was established in 1925.

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Indiana Landmarks is hoping a listing in the National Register of Historic Places will help an effort to restore a "temple-like landmark" in Terre Haute. The organization says the Rea Park Clubhouse, which dates back to the 1920s, is in need of "urgent repairs."

Indiana Landmarks says Rea Park was established in 1925, thanks to a $100,000 bequest from Terre Haute grocery owner William S. Rea. His widow Geraldine donated an additional $40,000 and sold 160 acres of land to the city for $1 for a golf course and and clubhouse in memory of her husband (who the organization says seldom, or possibly never, played the game).

While the course remains in top shape, the organization says other park features are seeing "increasing sings of deterioration," especially the clubhouse. A group called Friends of Rea Park used an Indiana Landmark’s Partners in Preservation grant to help secure the National Register nomination. The group has also commissioned an improvement plan for the clubhouse and the park.

You can find more information on the group’s efforts at its website.