‘One-of-a-kind’ historic stonework is unearthed at this Indiana muni course

MISHAWAKA, Indiana — Great Depression-era stonework has been unearthed at Eberhart-Petro Golf Course for the second straight year, exposing results of the historic Works Progress Administration program that provided jobs to millions of Americans in the midst of the depression.

Mayor Dave Wood announced in a recent social media post that an island, stone bridge, a fork of a creek and cobblestone paths were found during routine maintenance of Willow Creek by crews with the St. Joseph County Drainage Board.

About a year ago, stone walls built in the 1930s through the WPA on Hole No. 16, were discovered when an underground pipe that carried Willow Creek began to fail.

At the time, Wood asked county crews to dig up the pipe and open up the creek.

John Law, construction supervisor with the drainage board, said while the recent discovery has historic significance, the dig at the golf course was done to service the flood control efforts there.

Crews spent three days about two weeks ago uncovering the work, probing the ground to locate the WPA structures under the soil.

“Normally, we would just go and dig it up, but we took metal rods and found the walls and marked them,” Law said.

Wood said the historic nature of the WPA walls was an educational opportunity to show the results of the Depression-era work done at the golf course and throughout the city.

Petro Park history

The WPA stonework on the golf course is an original feature from Petro Park.

According to a listing by the Mishawaka Historic Preservation Commission, Petro Park was completed in 1934 and had additions in 1936. Former Mayor Mason Petro was granted funding from Civil Works Administration (a short-lived precursor to the WPA), to create a second public park for residents on the north side of the St. Joseph River.

Wood said in 1949 or 1950, the park was combined with the then-private nine-hole course to the west to make the city’s current 18-hole public course. While there was no documentation as to how Petro Park was changed for the Eberhart-Petro course layout, he said much of the stonework from the park was covered and Willow Creek was diverted through the layout with underground pipes.

The WPA built streets, sewers and recreational facilities throughout Mishawaka between 1935 and 1941, and the program put people who lost jobs during the Great Depression to work.

Some of the other WPA projects in Mishawaka are Battell Park’s rock garden, the Monkey Island bridge and the many walls along Wilson Boulevard near the St. Joseph River.

When the WPA was in operation, the federal government paid 90% of the labor costs for the projects, but the materials were left for cities and towns to purchase.

Discovered more 1930s WPA stonework along Willow Creek at Eberhart GC as part of routine ditch maintenance. Unearthed an island, fork of creek, stone bridge & cobble paths. One of a kind, historic treasures made by Mishawaka citizens. So cool! Thanks County Drainage for work. pic.twitter.com/f4GwJgzrsH

— Dave Wood, Mayor (@MishawakaMayor) February 20, 2022

‘A unique feature’

Wood said he grew up near the site of the recently exposed stonework.

The city will try and maintain the work, and Wood said a plaque is being planned to mark the accomplishments of the newfound structures.

He also is exploring options to allow the public to see and share in the discovery because of the historical nature of the stonework, despite the fact that it is on the golf course.

“This is one-of-a-kind, a unique feature,” Wood said of the discoveries. “These things are a treasure, built by Mishawaka citizens who were trying to put food on their tables.”

Email South Bend Tribune reporter Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@gannett.com.