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Olin Park

Olin Park
Address: 1156 Olin-Turville Ct.
Hours: 4:00am - 10:00pm
Park Type:> Community
Acres: 47.12
Restroom: No
Drinking Water: Yes
Shoreline On: Lake Monona & Wingra Creek

Park History

The pavilion in Olin Park is one of the most historic buildings owned by the City of Madison and one of the most popular park shelters in Madison. Built as a lecture hall for the Monona Lake Assembly in 1884, the pavilion was designed by Madison architect David R. Jones as 'Normal Hall' for the Wisconsin Sunday School Assembly.  As many as 15,000 came each year for religious instruction, entertainment, recreation and lectures by such notables as William McKinley and "Fighting Bob" La Follette. 

During the Wisconsin Sunday School Assembly sessions, the grounds resembled a tent city.  Steamships and trains were scheduled for stops at the grounds and a streetcar line was eventually built to serve the camp.  

In 1912, the City purchased the old assembly grounds for a park.  In 1919, 'Monona Park' was opened to tourists for camping, making it the first municipal camp east of the Rocky Mountains.  The 'old barn' during those days was used as a dance hall.  This is one of the few remaining buildings connected with Madison's heyday as a resort community. In 1923, the Common Council renamed the park Olin Park in honor of John Olin the founder of the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive. See Madison Parks Foundation for more. 

In 2000, the Olin Pavilion was renovated to resemble the original 1884 barn. 

At this Park