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The Bartlesville chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will hold a special presentation on the history of Veterans Park this Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Neighborhood Connection, located at the corner of Shawnee Avenue and Sixth Street.

Mayor James Curd will join the group to share insights into the park’s unique past, which spans both Virginia Avenue and Frank Phillips Boulevard. "It’s really kind of neat because that thing just kind of appeared, but it’s been a long time in the making," Curd said.

The presentation will explore how the park was once home to a brick company and later became a massive shale pit, which Mayor Curd said, "also served, though unsafely, as a popular local swimming hole." He added, "With the help of the late City Councilor Billy Roan, a longtime champion of veterans, the area was eventually transformed into the park and memorial space it is today."

"She was more than adamant,” Curd recalled. “She said, ‘We’re going to do it or we’re going to do it.’ And she did."

Donna Copeland of the DAR conducted extensive research into the park’s history with assistance from Ashlyn Deason at the Bartlesville Public Library. Historical records, including newspaper clippings dating back to the 1930s, tell the story of how local contractors and city officials filled the shale pit and began converting the land into usable space by the 1960s.

The site even once hosted a massive public swimming pool known as Frontier, which featured diving platforms and once held a national diving championship. "I remember seeing Greg Louganis diving off those tall platforms," Copeland added.

Wednesday’s event will also serve as DAR’s monthly meeting and a tribute to Flag Day. All are welcome to attend.