Rudge Park
A neighborhood park next to Bryan West hospital located near South 17th and Lake Streets.
Acres: 6
Rudge Memorial Park (14th to 17th Street, Lake to Harrison Streets) was named in honor of Charles H. & Caroline S. Rudge, prominent Lincoln citizens in the early 20th century and co-owners of the Rudge & Guenzel Department Store.
What started as a small hardware company, Rudge & Guenzel evolved into one of Lincoln’s premier downtown department stores in the early 1900s, alongside Herpolsheimer's, Gold's, and Miller & Paine. Rudge & Guenzel was located on the northwest corner of 13th and N Street in the building now known as the Atrium.
Charles Rudge was a native of Youngstown, Ohio. He and Caroline moved to Lincoln in 1886. As the store grew, the influence of the Rudges grew. They were deeply engaged in their adopted hometown of Lincoln, including extensive & diverse philanthropy, participation in civic organizations and political campaigns, and investing in continued downtown development.
In 1921, Charles Rudge died unexpectedly from blood poisoning while at his summer home in Minnesota. Caroline lived to 90 years of age, passing away in 1946. Their legacy can be seen and felt throughout Lincoln. Most notably, the Rudge estates gave generously to Wyuka (home to the exquisite Rudge Chapel and a large monument at their final resting place) and to the renovation and rehabilitation of the Harrison Street Lake & Park, which was renamed Rudge Memorial Park in their honor.
Location
1505 Lake St., Lincoln 68502 View Map
40.787704, -96.699080
1505 Lake St. ,
Lincoln 68502
1505 Lake St. ,
Lincoln 68502
Rudge Park
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