"Our Emerald Gem in the near West End" was originally considered the FAR west end when the Richmond City Council began the purchase of land that is now the site of Byrd Park.
Here's the story:
March 20, 1874: City Council purchases 60 acres of land from the old Omohundro estate for $21,000 and appropriates $240,000 to construct a new city reservoir.
As Supervisor of City Engineers, Colonel Wilfred E. Cutshaw, a one-legged Civil War veteran, directed the reservoir project. He also designed and directed the construction of Old City Hall and the reservoir pump house. Water was pumped to the eastern basin of the new reservoir on November 30, 1875.
1888 - With a major effort, Colonel Cutshaw convinced City Council to purchase an additional 240 acres of farmland from the Shields and Robinson families, including the family cemetery for the creation of a city park.
An electric streetcar line brought visitors to the Ashland Street stop near the park area in the 1890s.
1890 - The park opens a nursery to plant and raise trees to be transplanted along city streets. Over 60,000 trees were planted in the nursery.
Park trees planted in symmmetrical rows are the remaining nursery trees that grew too large for transplantation. The nursery remained for 14 years until 1904.
1906 - Reservoir Park is renamed Byrd Park for William Byrd II, the man credited with the layout of the city.
Three man-made lakes will be built in a natural ravine in the park: Fountain Lake, Swan Lake and Sheilds Lake.
1915 - Swan Lake and Shields Lake are completed around 1915.
Shields Lake (named for the Sheilds family - note the spelling variation)is used for swimming after World War I (after 1917).
A bed of white stone was uncovered during the excavation for the construction of these lakes -- city streets that had not been paved since the Civil War were finally paved with stones from this stone bed.
1925 - Fountain Lake is completed.
The Bryan family gave the city a gift of lights for Fountain Lake in the 1920s.
These lights were not used from 1934-36, but popular demand encouraged their use again in 1937.
1927 - Richmond's Italian community presents the city with the Columbus Monument, which stands at the foot of the Byrd Park reservoir at the end of the Boulevard.
To recognize Columbus Day, Richmond members of the Knights of Columbus decorate the statue with flowered wreaths in tribute.
1932 - The Carillon Bell Tower is dedicated as a memorial to Richmond soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.
The Carillon Tower straddles between the southwestern edge of Byrd Park and the entrance to the Carillon neighborhood.
The Dogwood Dell Ampitheatre, a summer theatre venture by the Department of Recreation and Parks, and the "Vita Course," a mile long jogging and fitness green space, are located behind the Reservoir and adjacent to the Carillon.
The Carillon is the site for "Arts in the Park" and the "Richmond Children's Festival."
1930s - To provide better swimming, the City widens and deepens Shields Lake as a Works Projects Administration (WPA) project with diving and platform areas.
In 1955 the City closed Shields Lake in part to prevent integration of the swimming area when African-Americans moved into the Byrd Park neighborhood.