By Cameron Hanson

Wildwood Park in Charles City, Iowa, is a new addition to the National Register of Historic Places.

Even at age 82, Bernita Guenther never planned on stepping away from golf this year. But a growing problem with carpal tunnel syndrome has left little choice. Though disappointed, her passion for the game has not faded, and the time she once reserved for the course is now spent on a project she's finding equally rewarding.

Since 1993, the retired bookkeeper has been lobbying to preserve Wildwood Park Municipal Golf Course, a nine-hole layout in the Cedar River Valley community of Charles City, Iowa. Her crusade peaked last autumn when Wildwood Park became the first course in Iowa — and one of only a handful nationwide — named to the National Register of Historic Places.

"It really gives me a good feeling to realize something with such historical value has been saved for posterity," said Guenther, a long-time Charles City resident and loyal member of the Wildwood Ladies Golf Association.

The 75-acre park, located on Charles City's west side, has had an interesting history. It was deeded to the city for less than $10,000 in 1912 by Gertrude and E.M. Sherman, founders of the neighboring Sherman Nursery Company. Though the site fell under the control of the city's park commission, the wishes of the Shermans have been respected: It has remained a public park. Featuring bluffs, woods and the meandering Sherman Creek, the area, according to noted Des Moines historian Will Page, was initially used by the community as a Victorian pleasure grounds. For that purpose, several early aesthetic improvements were made, including vistas, a variety of plantings and curving drives and walks.

As plans for additional enhancements were unveiled, however, a debate began to unfold over the appropriate use of Wildwood. As golf was gaining popularity locally, a growing group of residents wanted to build a course there. By May 1916, they had organized as the Wildwood Golf Association and successfully persuaded the park commission to develop nine holes.

While certain pockets of the park were preserved as pleasure grounds, Wildwood continues to offer several picnic and playground areas. In fact, a driveway bisects part of the course on its way to two recreational areas in the park's western half. That driveway, known as Loop Drive, crosses Sherman Creek twice on two paved fords. Page said crossing those fords creates a "pleasurable" experience for the drivers. Steve Lindaman, director of the city's Parks and Recreation Department, admits the presence of vehicular traffic "creates some difficulties" for golfers, but it's a product of the park's evolution.

Now the attention has turned toward clubhouse restoration. Page continues to work closely with Guenther and the Charles City Historic Preservation Commission, which shares the enthusiasm for the park. Calling it "peculiar," Page said Wildwood provides a fine case study of the "municipal park movement" in rural Iowa. "It started off as a park and evolved into a golf course," he explained. "It functions in different ways, and that's really rather unusual."

Throughout his time at Wildwood, John Monroe, 82, a lifelong golfer who in 1968 began a youth tournament there bearing his name, witnessed many changes and improvements that make the course significant, both recreationally and historically. In 1927, a clubhouse was built on the north end of the park, and in the mid-1930s, landscape architecture was added by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration of President Roosevelt's New Deal.

Their projects include the north footbridge and wall, the south footbridge, the entrance gate and wall and a retaining wall near that gate. Page described the native limestone structures as "functional and decorative." The history of Wildwood continued when it served as a prisoner of war camp during World War II. In 1944-45, German prisoners were relocated to the park and used the clubhouse as their dormitory and mess hall. According to Page, a high security fence was erected around the main facility, and when they were not in captivity the prisoners were engaged in farm labor, canning, and brick and tile production. About 20 of them also worked in the Sherman Nursery fields.

"The German prisoners kept a low profile during their internment at Wildwood," Page said. "Many residents did not even know of their presence."

In the 1960s, a wooded area was cleared on the park's eastern half, and the course was lengthened to 2,837 yards. "The course is not as tight as it used to be, but it still slips up and bites you," says Monroe. "It's a precision course."

In addition to the buildings and landscape, the architectural style of the course also reflects historic value. Dick Wynn, Wildwood's superintendent since 1975, said the course reflects an old style of architecture. "We're probably one of the few courses around that is still mowing the greens with walking mowers," he added. "We maintain a little higher height, which makes the greens a little slower, but I think the casual golfer likes that better."

It is not uncommon to work as long as five years to secure a place on the National Register. Page, who spends half of his professional time working on such projects, said Wildwood Park's eligibility was bolstered by two factors: the architecture of the course and its age.

Before the Register bestows historical significance upon a site, a preliminary application is made, endorsement from the state historical society is secured, a formal application is submitted and a state review is completed. Applications are then submitted to the National Park Service. In the case of Wildwood, the listing brought national attention and also opened doors for grants to help finance the clubhouse restoration.

For Guenther, it carries a deeper meaning. She takes satisfaction knowing the course she has enjoyed in her retirement has been preserved for generations to come.