‘It was a huge thing’: Viking Park master plan will include recognition of its namesake history

Viking Park in Gurnee was developed beginning in 1973 but reminders of activities on the property off Old Grand Avenue long before then aren’t hard to find.

Besides three structures that have survived for a century or more and remain in regular public use, it’s not unusual for building foundations, old bottles and other clues to surface as indicators of how the flagship park got its name.

“Every time we put a shovel in the ground for a big project, we always find a remnant or artifact of the old Vikings,” explained Kraig Owens, director of parks and planning for the Gurnee Park District.

He's referring to the Independent Order of Vikings Valhalla Association, which bought the property from David Beidler, a Chicago resident who used it as a summer home.

Beidler raised horses, chicken, pheasants and mushrooms. He built a small artificial lake with an island, stables, rock garden, summer home and other amenities.

The Vikings bought the property in about 1912 and began adding and repurposing facilities. An estimated 10,000 spectators turned out for the dedication of a retirement home in 1926, according to a historical account.

Beidler’s home was used as a clubhouse and recreation center and the Vikings added other facilities.

A park master plan now in progress is expected to include large-scale enhancements. But recognition of its roots also will have a place in the first big picture look at the grounds and facilities in 25 years.

“Part of the master plan is we do want to document the history of the park,” said Owens.

In its heyday, visitors including Swedes from Milwaukee, Chicago and points between would disembark at a long gone train depot just east of the property.

Historical accounts mention picnics, dances and events that attracted crowds to what now is Viking Park on weekends during the 1920s, 1930s and beyond.

“Thousands of people would come, especially in the early days,” said Nichole Siwula, a volunteer with Warren Township Historical Society. “It was a huge thing.”

The name Viking Park and Viking Middle School, west across the access road, honor that heritage and the restored dance hall and summer kitchen built by the Vikings remain hubs of park activity.

The visitor entrance to the district headquarters and community center is a carriage house predating the Vikings. The building was expanded with offices, a dance studio, meeting room and three preschool rooms in 2001.

An all inclusive playground, band shell enhancements, improved walking paths, a splash pad, expanded cricket facilities and other grounds upgrades are some big picture possibilities for the master plan.

Two public meetings as well as sessions with the village, Gurnee District 56, baseball and soccer organizations, cricket players and other stakeholders have been held and the first draft of the plan is expected in a few weeks.

And be it informational signage or other means, a nod to the past will have a place, too.

The summer kitchen, for example, open from April 1 to mid-October, is heavily used as the base of operations for the Exchange Club of Gurnee’s annual Ribfest, family reunions and other functions.

No one wants to lose the historical character of the building but an update to allow for extended use is a consideration, according to Owens.

The Vikings run ended in 1968 with an agreement to sell to the 47-acre property to the village and establishment of the park district. The newly formed district bought 29 acres. Portions were sold to the school district and the Special Education District of Lake County.

What is known as Viking Park West is a restored flood-prone area that includes the site of the former Gurnee Grade School, demolished in 2013.