925 Park Street
Jeremiah Ralston was born in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1797 and learned the carpentry trade in Cincinnati, Ohio. He later sold general merchandise in Burlington, Iowa, until 1847 when he set out for Oregon with his family. After arriving in September 1847, Jeremiah and Jemima Ralston built a home at the corner of Park and Maple Streets. The house was demolished in the 1950s. This block also became the site of the Lebanon Creamery Company at the corner of Oak & Grove Streets in 1911. The creamery was operated by Fredric August Bohle and his sons William Edward Bohle and Edwin Henry Bohle. The creamery building moved in to a larger building in 1928 and the 1912 building went on to house, among other things, a bowling alley, dancing arena and the home of the Lebanon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3572. The old creamery building was demolished in 1978.
Ralston Square Park on October 21, 2006
Today this block is a 2.49 acre city park called Ralston Square, dedicated December 23, 1974 in memory of Hugh Kirkpatrick, civic leader and Mayor of Lebanon from 1927 to 1932.
Ralston Square Park Plaque on October 21, 2006
The dedication plaque bears the names of Richard H. Renn, Mayor of Lebanon in 1973 & 1974, Lebanon City Council Members Betty M. Collins, Dr. Arthur G. Denker, Eldon B. McClain, Kenneth O. Swanson, Lyle R. Winters and Charles D. Zeek, City Attorney Warren C. Gill and City Administrator Robert E. Noren.
Ralston Square Park Gazebo on October 21, 2006
The park contains a gazebo dedicated in remembrance of Stephen William South. South was born February 6, 1945 and became the City of Lebanon’s Community & Economic Development Director. He passed away on September 3, 1987.
Ralston Square Park Gazebo Plaque on October 21, 2006
This gazebo was dedicated to him “for exemplary dedication to the enhancement of economic development in the community.”
Outdoor Theater Monument on October 21, 2006
Ralston Square serves as Lebanon’s Outdoor Theater for Youth and the Arts. A monument in the park, dedicated in May 1988, lists those who contributed to the theater movement.
Ralston Square Park Flagpole on October 21, 2006
A flagpole in the park was presented by the American Legion Santiam Post #51 and the Linn County Voiture 891 of the 40/8.
Ralston Square Park Flagpole Plaque on October 21, 2006
The flagpole was dedicated on October 6, 1991, in honor of Frank W. Groves, 94 years old at the time, for his “lifelong contributions to our country and the city of Lebanon in the promotion of Americanism and community service.
DAR Plaque in Ralston Square Park on October 21, 2006
Another plaque in the park, placed by the Linn and Santiam Chapters of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Linn Historical Society in 1998, is “dedicated to the pioneers who blazed the Oregon Trail.”
Ralston Square Park Rose Garden on October 21, 2006
The park also contains a rose garden, which is cared for by the Lebanon Garden Club as part of the City of Lebanon’s Adopt-A-Park Program.
Old Gas Station next to Ralston Square Park on October 21, 2006
In the fall of 2005, the City of Lebanon purchased a former gas station at the corner of Oak & Park Streets. This property was the only remaining part of the city block that was not yet part of the park. The service station building will be renovated into a covered picnic structure or visitors center for the city. Much of the paved area will remain to serve as a parking area for the park. In the summer of 2006, the city purchased a vacant lot at the northeast corner of Park & Maple Streets, just north of Ralston Square. This property will eventually be used to expand the park.
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