6. Howard Park

Bounded by Main St, Grimes Ave, Court St. & the BNSF Railroad

During the Civil War this land was used as a mustering area (see the plaque in the southwest corner). The Franklin School was here from 1868 to 1913.

In 1912 the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bought the land for a new train station and was persuaded to give the remaining land back to the city (with the proviso that it remain a park).

It was later named Howard Park in honor of Elmer A. Howard, a vice-president of the railroad.

The first train had arrived on September 1, 1858, a very important event for Fairfield (the original railroad station was at 6th Street).

The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad eventually became today's BNSF Railroad. Amtrak passenger service to Fairfield ceased on May 1, 1971.

Click here to read about Fairfield's railroad history.

A vendor at the Farmer's Market (photo by Werner Elmker).

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Howard Park, with the retired BNSF train station in the background.

New playground equipment, behind the swings, Nov 6, 2019.

6. Howard Park

Bounded by Main St, Grimes Ave, Court St. & the BNSF Railroad

A vendor at the Farmer's Market (photo by Werner Elmker).

Scroll down for more photos

Howard Park, with the retired BNSF train station in the background.

New playground equipment, behind the swings, Nov 6, 2019.

New playground equipment, Nov 6, 2019.

Plaques for new playground equipment, Nov 6, 2019.

The Farmers Market is held here on Wednesdays and Saturdays - food, flowers, crafts, entertainment (photo by Werner Elmker).

Just one of the vendors (photo by Werner Elmker).

Families having fun (photo by Werner Elmker).

Listening to the entertainment, Farmer's Market (photo by Werner Elmker).

The new gazebo, built by volunteers (photo by Werner Elmker).

In 1912, Elmer A. Howard, then a vice-president of the C, B & Q railroad, persuaded them to give land for this park.

Jefferson County citizens fought in the Civil War (this refurbished in 2019).

The retired Amtrak railroad station at the north end of the park, still owned by BNSF Railroad.

Looking from the train station, south to the park entrance. Passenger service to Fairfield ended on May 1, 1971.