Rush County Bicentennial
HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY RUSH COUNTY!
By John D. Wilson - Rush County Historian
Happy 200th Birthday to Rush County! Actually we were recognized as a county by the State of Indiana in April of 1822.
The geographic focus of our celebration will be in the neighborhood of Riverside Park. In 1822 the Flatrock River channel made a horseshoe bend back toward today’s Morgan Street. This is where the original Rushville settlement began. The Rush County Founder William Laughlin’s cabin was on the north side of the river, and his grist mill was on the south side. By the 1890’s a one mile harness racing track called the Riverside Driving Park was constructed south of the river about where the Riverside Park Amphitheater is located now. (The Flatrock was straightened by the Army Corps of Engineers back in the 1930’s to help with flood control. The new channel bisected the track.)
Riverside became a Rushville City Park in 2005. The Amphitheater stage building was designed to look like a giant Kennedy Covered Bridge, and it was built in 2005. Restrooms and a greenroom were added in 2010. By 2017 a pavilion was constructed near the river levee to facilitate class reunions and other special gatherings. By 2021 a new water park called The Overlook was added where Miller’s Restaurant formerly had been. The summer concert series have been sponsored by Rush County businesses, civic groups, and individuals.
By the early 1890’s there were three competition harness tracks on the edge of Rushville; north, south, and east. Every township had at least one training track, and there were reportedly a total of 25 tracks in Rush County.
In the midst of this “horse boom” was William A. Jones and his son Harrie. William and Harrie built and equipped the Riverside Driving Park. William Jones was among the pioneer horsemen in Rush County. He gained notoriety as a half-owner of Hoosier Tom, but one of his greatest horses was Florence M., a daughter of Blue Bull 75. Florence M. won 42 out of 52 races.
The Riverside Driving Park opened in grand style on July 4, 1896. They held a pony race for boys and a balloon ascension was scheduled, but the balloon caught fire and never got off the ground. The horses that raced that day were valued at over one million dollars. They came from several states and were brought in by train on special cars. Over 5,000 people paid to see the races. Race purses were from $500 to $600.
Riverside Driving Park was a regulation mile track 60 feet wide. Shedrow stables with 160 stalls surrounded a paddock area with a speed office and blacksmith shop. There was a grandstand at the end of the main stretch at the southeast corner of the track. A footbridge (swinging bridge) was built across Flatrock River to make access easier from the hotels and saloons.
Baseball games and circuses were also held at Riverside Park’s infield. Traveling circuses came to Rushville by railroad. The Cincinnati Reds visited Riverside and defeated Rushville’s baseball club 23-4. Indianapolis played here too and won 28-10.
On September 16, 1899, the races were not held at Riverside because of inclement weather. Somehow a “bogus record” of races to be held that day was signed and submitted to the American Trotting Association (ATA). After a year long investigation, the ATA issued an “edict of expulsion” against eleven horsemen and officials. Needless to say the reputation of Rush County harness racing suffered.
Then came the automobile. Dirt track automobile races were contested at Riverside’s oval. During the 1920’s and until WWII, 100 mile races were held. Some of the most famous local drivers were Bob Hayden, Arnie Krecht, Charles Morris, and “Wild Bill” Cummings. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Wilbur Shaw also raced at Riverside; driving his race care here from Shelbyville and then driving it home after the race.
Today we continue to be entertained at Riverside Park. As you sit on the grass or in your favorite deck chair listening to the music, don’t forget the fascinating history of the Park. When the music stops, you may still hear the thunder of trotters headed down the stretch, “Wild Bill’s” engine whining flat-out, the roar of a circus lion, the crack of a baseball bat, or the joyful sounds of children spinning on a merry-go-round.
On September 17, 2022, we hope to see you at Riverside Park! Be a part of the Bicentennial celebration. Bring your own chairs. Admission will be free.
