Evansville, Indiana, boasts the expansive Wesselman Park, a green oasis with a history as rich as the city itself. While Wesselman Park is known for its diverse attractions, including a popular golf center, many are unaware of the historical treasure nestled within its grounds: the McCallister Cemetery, a silent testament to one of Evansville’s earliest pioneer families.
Located discreetly within the Wesselman Park golf center, this acre of land has remained untouched by time, even as ownership and usage of the surrounding park areas have evolved. Shaded by mature oak and tulip trees, the cemetery serves as a poignant reminder of the pioneer era, a stark contrast to the leisurely activities of the modern-day golf center that surrounds it.
The future of Wesselman Park’s Par 3 golf course, part of the broader Wesselman Park golf center, is currently under review by the Board of Park Commissioners. As the least utilized of the city’s public golf facilities, discussions are underway regarding potential repurposing, following consultant recommendations and public input initiatives. However, regardless of any changes to the Wesselman Park golf center or its facilities, the historical McCallister Cemetery is guaranteed preservation.
Brian Holtz, executive director of the Parks & Recreation Department, affirmed the cemetery’s protected status: “Regardless of what happens, that wouldn’t affect that area. It would remain as it is,” emphasizing the city’s commitment to preserving this historical landmark and highlighting its significance for generations to come within Wesselman Park and its encompassing areas like the golf center.
Once delineated by a rustic split-rail fence, typical of pioneer times, the cemetery now resides within the chain-link perimeter of the Wesselman Park golf center. It’s situated where the park’s main drive gently curves towards the Wesselman Woods Nature Center. A historical marker, erected in October 1990 by the Vanderburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, stands as the primary indication of the site’s historical importance, often missed by visitors enjoying the recreational amenities of the Wesselman Park golf center.
Historical accounts from the Evansville Press detail the unfortunate vandalism of the McCallister Cemetery in the 1960s, when tombstones and potentially even remains began to disappear. This underscores the importance of the current preservation efforts and the quiet resilience of this pioneer family’s resting place within what is now a bustling park and golf center.
The McCallister Pioneer Legacy
The story of McCallister Cemetery begins with Eneas McCallister, a Revolutionary War veteran who journeyed to this region from Pennsylvania. In 1805, he established a ferry service across the Ohio River, marking the family’s early imprint on the area. His son, Jesse McCallister, further solidified their presence by acquiring 160 acres of land in 1814. This land would eventually become the Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, with the family cemetery established a short distance north of their homestead.
Deeds record the cemetery’s location, confirming it as the final resting place for Eneas and his five sons, including Jesse. Interestingly, Vanderburgh County Historian Stan Schmitt suggests the cemetery might not have originally been on McCallister land. When the family sold their property to Marcus and Prudence Sherwood in 1838, the cemetery was not mentioned in the deed.
However, in 1847, when the Sherwoods sold the land to William Stockwell’s family, a crucial detail emerged in the new deed: one acre was specifically reserved as a burial ground. Schmitt notes, “So the way it looks, the Sherwood family actually saved the cemetery,” highlighting an act of early land stewardship that ensured the preservation of this pioneer family’s legacy within the evolving landscape that would become Wesselman Park and its golf center.
Subsequent deeds continued to acknowledge and protect the burial ground. The Stockwell family and their descendants steadily expanded their land holdings in the area until the passing of Mary Stockwell in 1914. Five years later, the wooded area, then known as Stockwell Woods, became part of 559 acres transferred to state ownership.
From this expansive tract of land, significant Evansville landmarks emerged, including the former Roberts Municipal Stadium, Hartke Swimming Pool, Wesselman Park and its nature preserve, the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, and the Evansville State Hospital grounds. All tracing their origins back to the 160 acres of forest first settled by the McCallister family in 1814, with their cemetery remaining a silent witness to this transformation within the modern Wesselman Park golf center.
A Pioneer Legacy Preserved
The McCallister Cemetery, often unnoticed amidst the recreational activities of Wesselman Park and its golf center, stands as a powerful reminder of Evansville’s pioneer roots. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of families who shaped the region. As Wesselman Park continues to evolve, with potential changes on the horizon for its golf center, the preservation of this historical burial ground remains a priority, ensuring that the stories of Evansville’s pioneer families are not forgotten within the vibrant tapestry of the city’s present and future.
