Williston was incorporated as a town in 1897 and chartered as a city in 1929. On October 10, 1914, this area was designated as a public park by the mayor and town council in a deed from J.B. and P.A. Epperson. On June 11, 1923, the town purchased an electrical distribution system from the Williston Manufacturing Company for $33,300; it included the generator, ice plant, cold storage plant, water tank, one ten year old Bay Horse named Charlie, and a wagon with harness. The generator was used for seven years to produce electricity and had a capacity of 100 kilowatts. The City secured the howitzer 8” M2 Cannon from the Anniston Alabama Army Depot on April 30, 1975.