{"id":220,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:36","latitude":38.85902180000000072368493420071899890899658203125,"longitude":-86.4589504000000061978425947017967700958251953125,"title":"Otis Park","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/bc4d87d0341803d831d667d3f5b70e20.jpg","address":"607 Tunnelton Rd, Bedford, IN 47421","all_locations":[],"zoom":9,"creator":["Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology"],"description":"Otis Park began as a farm in the 1860s. The original 1865 Italianate house is still located on the grounds. After the farm failed, there were a series of owners. Local newspaperman Fred Otis acquired the property and in 1915 he donated it to the City of Bedford for a park and golf course.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nFrom 1937-1941, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) set out to beautify the approximately 150 acres of the park/golf course. Since limestone was abundant in the area, the WPA used the stone throughout the park for buildings, bridges, picnic shelters, and rock walls/fencing. The most notable WPA-era feature is the 2-story Neoclassical band shell. Designed by Joe Cezar, it was the only limestone band shell constructed by the WPA.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nOtis Park is the largest public park in Bedford and it is adjacent to an 18-hole golf course.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/bc4d87d0341803d831d667d3f5b70e20.jpg":{"id":1429,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Otis Park","description":"Entrance and Limestone Bandshell | Courtesy of Indiana DNR","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/bc4d87d0341803d831d667d3f5b70e20.jpg"}}}