In 1848, James Alderman settled near this site, then a densely forested area, and cut down the steep banks of the Alafia River to make it easier for horses and wagons to cross. The place became known as Alderman's Ford. As the land south of the river became more settled and crossings increased, the area around the ford grew popular for meetings and socializing. Picnics were common there as early as 1888, and in 1902 it became the scene of political rallies. Before the growth of mass communications, many political careers were launched there, and for more than half a century the Democratic Party of Hillsborough County opened its campaigns at the park with political fireworks.