Courthouse Square Park
Encyclopedia
Courthouse Square Park is a town square
occupying one city block
in downtown Dayton, Oregon
. The 1.8 acre (0.7284348 ha) urban park
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. The park contains the historically-significant blockhouse or military fortification
that was originally located at Fort Yamhill
. In 1911, the structure was moved to Dayton from its original site. The land for the park was donated by Joel Palmer
and the park was named 'Courthouse Square' as part of an attempt to make Dayton the government seat of Yamhill County. Although Dayton did not become the county seat and no courthouse was ever constructed, the park's name remained. The Park also contains a picnic shelter, grassy areas shaded by Douglas Firs and native oaks, a basketball court, a playground and public restrooms.
Town square
A town square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market square, public square, and town green.Most town squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets,...
occupying one city block
City block
A city block, urban block or simply block is a central element of urban planning and urban design. A city block is the smallest area that is surrounded by streets. City blocks are the space for buildings within the street pattern of a city, they form the basic unit of a city's urban fabric...
in downtown Dayton, Oregon
Dayton, Oregon
Dayton is a city in Yamhill County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,119 at the 2000 census. As of July 2007 its estimated population was 2,495.-History:...
. The 1.8 acre (0.7284348 ha) urban park
Urban park
An urban park, is also known as a municipal park or a public park, public open space or municipal gardens , is a park in cities and other incorporated places to offer recreation and green space to residents of, and visitors to, the municipality...
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The park contains the historically-significant blockhouse or military fortification
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
that was originally located at Fort Yamhill
Fort Yamhill
Fort Yamhill was an American military fortification in what became the state of Oregon. Built in 1856 in the Oregon Territory, it remained an active post until 1866. The Army outpost was used to provide a presence next to the Grand Ronde Agency Coastal Reservation...
. In 1911, the structure was moved to Dayton from its original site. The land for the park was donated by Joel Palmer
Joel Palmer
General Joel Palmer was an American pioneer of the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. He was born in Canada, and spent his early years in New York and Pennsylvania before serving as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives.Palmer traveled to the Oregon...
and the park was named 'Courthouse Square' as part of an attempt to make Dayton the government seat of Yamhill County. Although Dayton did not become the county seat and no courthouse was ever constructed, the park's name remained. The Park also contains a picnic shelter, grassy areas shaded by Douglas Firs and native oaks, a basketball court, a playground and public restrooms.