Bellevue Park

Bellevue Park grew from the open fields of the old Belle Vue farm beside Reservoir Park at Harrisburg's summit. German-born Christian Haehnlen acquired the farm in 1856, and it later passed to his son Jacob, who built a summer retreat there in 1876, then to Jacob's son Louis, who established a well-known grapery and wine vineyard on the grounds. As Harrisburg launched its park system in 1902, the nearby Reservoir Park became its centerpiece. In 1907 the Union Real Estate Investment Company, headed by Harrisburg realtor Herman P. Miller, acquired the old Haehnlen farm to develop Pennsylvania's first planned residential community. In 1909 the property became the residence of environmentalist and civic leader J. Horace McFarland, who named it Breeze hill. As company secretary, McFarland secured landscape architect Warren Manning, already involved in designing the city's park system, to carry out a plan shaped by McFarland's belief that urban growth should harmonize with nature. The land's original contours were preserved, utilities were placed underground, house plans were intended to achieve architectural distinction, and themed streetlights were chosen to enhance the park's style and character. Opened in 1910, Bellevue Park transformed meadows and grape-laden vineyards into a forested community that reflected the spirit of the City Beautiful Movement of the early 20th Century and the city's present-day renewal efforts.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania · United States