Located in the Grand River one block east of Main St. in the downtown business district, Island Park has been an important part of the City’s historical and cultural heritage for over one hundred years.

Owned and operated by J.D. McAuliffe from 1892 the island was lauded as “A shady retreat for pleasure seekers, with a fine collection of animals and a museum of rare specimens.” In 1897, the City purchased the island for use as a park.

The James B. Brainerd Post of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) requested of City Council in 1908 that the Island be made in suitable condition for the annual encampment of the Eaton County Battalion of the G.A.R. This request was promptly granted and the battalion erected a tent city on the Island for one week every August until 1929 when there were too few veterans to carry on and the encampment was discontinued.

In 1909, the City agreed to name the Island G.A.R. Park. The Civil War Veterans wasted no time making improvements to the park. Two cannons were donated by the U.S. Government to the Brainerd Post, installed and dedicated to serve as “Silent Sentinels” in tribute to all those who served in the Civil War.

The cannons are known as Parrott rifles after Robert Parker Parrott who perfected a way to make strong cannon barrels from cast iron. They were manufactured at the West Point Foundry in West Point, New York. The large cannon on the south end of the Island was cast in 1862; it has a 6.4-inch bore and is known as a 100-pounder from the weight of the solid shot fired. The cannon on the north end is a 4.2-inch rifle that fired a 30-pound solid shot. They are authentic Civil War cannon.

In 1915, the G.A.R. Monument to “Our Fallen Heroes 1861-64” was moved to the Park from its former place in Rose Hill Cemetery. The monument is cut from Vermont granite and was purchased in1893 at a cost of $400.00.

In 1954, recognizing the need to honor heroes, the City moved the alarm bell from the tower of the 1881 fire station on N. Main Street and installed it on the Island in tribute to the courage and dedication of those who had served as firefighters during the 80 years of the department’s existence.

Over time, the park has been the site of band concerts, weddings, Memorial Day services and 4th of July celebrations, as well as many picnics and reunions. All have been made richer by being held at such a beautiful and unique place as the “Island.”