Burdette Park at 5301 Nurrenbern Rd. Burdette Park as well as the Everette Burdette American Legion Post 187 were both named in honor of a young Evansville man who grew up in Howell, enlisted in the army during World War I, and was killed in action in Germany. (Everett Burdette and his brother Ernest joined the army on September 23, 1917. Their father, the Rev. E.G.S. Burdette, lived at 117 West Illinois Street in Evansville. A younger brother, Ralph, joined the army a few months later and was slightly wounded the following summer. Less than one year after his enlistment, on September 1, 1918, Everette Burdette fell to enemy fire. His body was returned to the United States early in 1921, and, that April, Everette Burdette was buried in Locust Hill Cemetery.) A number of American Legion Posts sprang up in Evansville following the armistice that signaled the end of the 'great war�. Burdette Post received its charter on December 27, 1921, and A.W. Epperson was elected its first commander. During the summer of 1927, the 25-member west side post purchased a 40 acre site that was 10 minutes from Howell and three miles from the Evansville city limits. Legion members put up some of their own money to help finance the purchase. The site, which was to eventually become Burdette Park, was an area of great natural beauty with tall trees, scenic hills and lush valleys. An abundance of fresh water was provided by a spring-fed well, and there was a natural salt spring which figured prominently in the park�s future development. ... Earlier visitors to the park found a number of attractions. In addition to the Legion home, six log cabins had been built. Timber and sandstone from the park itself, were used in much of this initial construction. There also were two artificial lakes, foot trails, 25 rustic bridges, plus a number of picnic tables and ovens which were available upon paying a $0.05 fee. One of the first major projects at Burdette Park was the building of a dam for the lake along with the construction of the Lakeside Cottage. This building is still standing and is one of the more popular facilities today at the park. When major expansion and renovation took place in 1938, the county�s share was $14,000. The remaining $289,000 was provided as part of a WPA improvement project. Many of the first park visitors came from Camp Breckinridge in Kentucky. It was this support that assisted in the park�s early success and growth. But, as time passed, more and more Vanderburgh County residents came to discover the park�s natural beauty and its many recreation opportunities. The salt spring provided first swimming pool which became known as the 'salt pool�. ... Burdette Park enjoyed several good post-war years before revenues declined in 1948 and 1949. The park almost failed to open in 1950. It took almost $5,000.00 from the county to make necessary repairs to the swimming pool and roller skating rink. Later that year, the park association notified Vanderburgh County that it would no longer be able to operate Burdette after the year ended. ... Revenues had declined again by 1959 and conditions at the swimming pool had worsened. The salt well was almost dry and the pool was under increasing fire from the Health Department. While the pool opened in 1959, it was obvious that drastic action must be taken if the park was to be saved. ... A $300,000 bond issue was approved in 1960 to construct an Olympic size swimming facility at the park to replace the old salt pool. The new pool is still one of the finest and largest pools in the Midwest. The old salt pool had been closed for almost a year when the new pool opened on August 19, 1961. The water line and proper sanitation facilities gave the park new life. The new pool was the keystone for two decades of expansion and prosperity at the park. (http://www.evansvillegov.org/county/department/division.php?structureid=100) The back of the postcard notes that the park covers 145 acres, with 1 1/3 acres of swimming area.