In early August 1917, James T. Porter presented the public with plans for an open air pavilion, 70' x 120', to be erected in Siloam Park. By the end of August, construction began on the Siloam Pagoda with the setting of terra cotta, which was not only used for ornamentation, but was a substantial part of the material used in the construction. The terra cotta alone was estimated between $5,000 and $6,000, and was shipped in two car loads from the kiln in Chicago. This would prove to be insufficient. In October, another car load of terra cotta was ordered to complete the building. In September 1917, construction was halted so that an informal honor could be given to "Old Siloam". The Judge Frank P. Divelbliss delivered the address with Mayor Rowell providing the introductions. More than 1,000 people attended. The Judge spoke for 45 minutes and also paid tribute to Rev. Dr. Flack. Of those who pioneered the spring, only two remained alive at that time -- Robert Caldwell and E.S. McMurray. Both men attended the honor services. The other men credited that "fought the fight of the faithful" were Jim Snapp, Uncle Bob Caldwell, Dick Cravens, Newell Bryan, Jim Sloan, W.P. Layton, Capt. J.L. Farris, Col. J.C. Isley, J.S. Prather, John Dunn, Eph. Smith, Bill Crocket and Jim Cones. On December 1, the Excelsior Springs Daily Call reported on the progress of Siloam Spring pavilion: "The marble tablet was placed in the south wall of the Siloam Spring pavilion this morning with inscription "Siloam Spring 1880, founders J.V.B. Flack, A.W. Wyman, H.C. Fish, J.W. Snapp, J.L. Farris, J.C. Isley. On the lower section is inscribed the figures 1917, also the names of the mayor, city council, landscape architect George H. Kessler, architect Henry F. Hoyt and the contracting firm. Above the tablet was a place reserved for a big clock. Back of the tablet and solidly shaped in the wall was a copper box in which was a copy of each of the Daily Call and Standards, several pamplets telling of Excelsior Springs today, and personal cards. Of the six pioneers whose names appear on the upper section of the tablet, only one, J.W. Snapp, is living, the other five having "crossed over the river." In 1918, farmers complained of the first draught in 53 years. The Daily Call proclaimed of plenty of water in Excelsior Springs as the draught had no effect on Siloam Spring or the other mineral springs and wells ... truly the little valley is a favored spot." It was certainly a favored spot for visitors at the newly developed Siloam Spring Gardens. Political gatherings, band concert programs, patriotic concerts, and meetings were common occurances at the Gardens. In 1919, the Masons brought Charles H. Payton, architect, to Excelsior Springs to design a magnificent $100,000 Masonic Temple. The temple was to be erected on the west side of Siloam Gardens to coordinate with the general park improvements. It was to be used as a semi-public building with frontage of 65' on Spring Street and 150' on the park. Sleeping rooms, approximately 40, were planned with all having outside entrances fronting on the park to be used by fraternity members. The basement floor plan was called the Park Floor and was built on a level with Siloam Pagoda. It was to be leased for a cafe or other use. The lower levels, or sub-basement floor, at the south end had full frontage on the park and was to be fitted for a children's playroom and gymnasium. George Kessler was retained to design the exterior of the building to harmonize with the other improvements in the park being put in by the city. The temple was razed when the Hall of Waters was built so that a west entrance via the circle drive could be developed. By 1922, Siloam Gardens and Fishing River Parkway, in addition to the mineral water pagoda, had an open air pavilion used for all sorts of meetings. It also had a well-equipped playground, the only one in Clay County. Work on the park system continued, however. On November 14, a public improvement bond was passed to finish the Kessler designed Siloam Gardens for $15,000, and $12,000 was approved for building a conrete arch bridge on the approach from Marietta Street. In 1923, the Park Board repaired the platform around Siloam Spring and made a change in the operation of the pump to insure fresh mineral water for the visitors. In October, a citizens meeting was called to consider whether or not the city should proceed with a bond election to provide funds to complete the improvements around Siloam Spring. Movement and capital were indeed behind the park development of Excelsior Springs. The City Manager's report of the city at this time contained the following: "One can scarcely realize the progress that is being made in park development. The cost of property acquired to date for park purposes is $96,400. The Siloam Gardens project, upon which we are working, when completed will cost approximately $75,000. A new rest house has been constructed at a cost of $5,500. A concrete arch bridge is to be constructed at a cost of $12,000. At the completion of the bridge, a circuit of miles of drive way system will be complete." Click to continue: Community-wide beautification plan Return to top