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It's Park Creek, Not Skunk Run ["Ottawa Herald," 15 Apr 1951, page 1, column 5] Skunk Run, the natural water course has its beginning in the southwest part of Ottawa, has been called Skunk Run for at least 80 years and probably longer than that. However, that is not its name - officially, that is. Many years ago the little stream, which sometimes becomes a big stream, was named Park Creek. It is a safe bet that despite this official action, the name Skunk Run will continue to be its name for another 80 years and more. When it rains - hard - the run-off from the southwest area gathers in what is no more than a depression and flows into the beginnings of Skunk Run. It courses generally in a northeasterly direction to the railroad embankment of the Southern Kansas branch of the Santa Fe, follows it for some distance, then goes underground beneath the practice field of Ottawa High School, then under Main Street paving, and emerges in a stone-lined ditch which crosses City Park. From the park it goes under Hickory Street and continues to the Marais des Cygnes river in the east part of Ottawa, or, in the northeast part of that portion of Ottawa which lies south of the Marais des Cygnes river. The earliest maps of this area do not show the water course at all. However, word handed down by early settlers indicates tha the "ditch" was called Skunk run from the first days of the settlement of Ottawa, and the only reason given for the name is that quite a tribe of skunks lived along the little stream. In the 1880's maps began to show the stream, and it was marked Skunk run. Fifty years ago, in the spring of 1911, people of Ottawa looked about and decided that the town needed a clean-up campaign, some beautifying, some weed cutting, some trash hauling and a general fixing up of the town. Naturally the people turned to what was then the Commercial Club, now the chamber of Commerce. The officials of that body appointed three men to serve as a civic improvement committee. The three were Peter Shiras, a prominent banker of that day; Dr. Sislas Eber Price, president of Ottawa University; and Judge C. A. Smart of the District court. The three began the business of directing the improvement of the community, and one of the first things they did concerned Skunk Run. They prepared a resolution and presented it to the City Council, and this was the wording of the resolution: "Be it resolved by the mayor and councilmen of the City of Ottawa that the natural water course having its origin in the southwestern part of the city, running in a northeasterly direction across and through the City Park, and uniting with the Marais des Cygnes river in the northeastern part of the city, be designated as "Park Creek." In explanation, the three committee members added, in a brief comment: "We do not believe that any citizen will object tot he change of name; that anyone has any claim to the old name either by tradition, inheritance or otherwise; and we believe tha tthe new name above indicated will be welcomed by our citizens." The city officials apparently took no action during the meeting at which the resolution was presented, but did take such favorable action later. Proof of this official action can be seen on the little arched bridge [since replaced] which is used by pedestrians in crossing Skunk Run in the City Park. Next time you walk through the park take a look at the floor of the arched bridge. Impressed int he concrete you will find the designation "Park Creek." Now if you like, you can being calling this water course "Park Creek." Don't be surprised, however if Ottawans give you a look of surprise - they may not know what you are talking about. |
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