Home > MO > Carthage >

Carthage Municipal Park and Golf Course,

2000 Oak St., Carthage, MO
Phone:

East < GO > West

Most of the Carthage Municipal Park was built as a WPA (Federal Work Project) in 1937 during the Depression. Many of its buildings were constructed with native stone or rock and include a skating rink, swimming pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, Kiwanis Kiddieland, and scenic picnic shelters. There is also an 18 hole golf course.

Kiwanis Kiddieland - In 1948 the Kiwanis Club built children's rides from surplus US Army WWII material.

In 1952 they bought a miniature train, laid the track and built a station to load & unload young passengers. Sometimes I wanna be six again!

The stadium in the Municipal Park was built as a WPA project in 1937-38. It was originally an outdoor amphitheater but was converted to a ballpark affectionately known as "the Rock". It was made of Fieldstone and the bleachers could hold 3,000 spectators. It was used by a team in the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missour League from 1946-1952. It was officially known as the Carl Lewton Stadium in honor of a former teacher, principal and coach.

Sadly the stadium had been torn down when we went by in 2023. Apparently the structure had deteriorated too much to be restored.

This is the Municipal Park Swimming Pool and Bathhouse.

The skating rink was originally a dance pavilion and was built around 1938.

I think that this building is used by golfers.

The park was dedicated on July 5, 1937.

Photo(s): 2016, 2023