Perry Field marks 100 years

By Kris Leonhardt

Editor

ALGOMA – Late last month, the Algoma community came together to mark the 100-year history of Perry Field, where the Perry family was recognized for their century-old gift.

On July 23, 1924, the land for Perry Field was presented to the Algoma City Council by Senator Melvin Withington and Mary Josephine Perry in honor of their son, Capt. Ralph H. Perry, who was killed while serving in World War I.

“For the purpose of providing suitable opportunity to the young boys and girls that are athletically-inclined and to stimulate in the entire community a perpetual interest in such activities as a recreation field is apt to promote, we desire to offer and deed to the city of Algoma, without cost…,” the family stated to the Algoma City Council upon presenting the land.

The family asked that the property be referred to as “Perry Field” and be governed by a board of three members — the American Legion commander, Algoma High School principal and Door-Kewaunee County Normal School principal.

“All decisions concerning the government, use and improvement of this property are to be unanimous to be effective,” the family’s statement added.

The council accepted the donation by unanimous vote.

“The Swamp” — as it was referred to at the time — sat for several years without development while serving as a shortcut for kids making their way to the Algoma Public School facility.

During the Depression, work began developing the grounds and programming started in 1936 when the city appropriated $200 for supervised play and beach programs.

The Ralph Perry Field Commission also began plans for a softball diamond, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and tennis courts.

“Development of the Ralph Perry Field has reached the point where it is now actually serving the purpose for which it was dedicated when the original block of property was turned over to the city some years ago…,” the Algoma Record Herald stated in June 1936.

“Gradually the property was filled and improved and with the coming of the CWA, the city acquired an additional block and the work of filling in the low lands was pushed forward. Seeding of the plot last year and the planting of trees marked the beginning of the final job in getting the area ready for the purpose originally intended.”

The park’s namesake, Ralph Perry, was born in February 1895 in Algoma and graduated from Algoma Schools in 1912.

He enrolled in the Northwestern Military Academy and was later commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Illinois National Guard.

Perry was assigned to Company F of the Fifth Wisconsin Regiment in 1917 and was sent to France during World War.

There, he was assigned to Company B of the 128th Infantry and received a promotion to captain.

On Nov. 10, 1918 — a day before the Armistice — Perry was wounded by machine gun fire.

He died from those injuries less than two weeks later.

He was just 23 years old.

According to the Appleton Post-Crescent, Perry’s remains weren’t returned to Wisconsin until the spring of 1921, when they were interred in the Evergreen Cemetery in Algoma.