History

Good Templar Park in Geneva was created in 1925 as a special place to celebrate Swedish Midsummer a day without alcohol. The park represents two important ideas: the temperance movement in the United States and the effort to keep Swedish traditions alive.

The idea for these celebrations began with Carl Ramstedt from the Svea Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars (IOGT). He suggested holding a big picnic where different lodges could come together. Several Good Templar lodges from the Chicago area helped organize a Swedish festival at Linden Park in Evanston. The event was very popular, and in 1911 the Grand Lodges decided to make it an annual celebration called Svenskarnas Dag, or Swedish Day. It was held around the same time as Midsummer in Sweden.

As the festival became more popular, it moved to larger parks, including Ravinia Park. By 1924, nearly ten thousand people were attending each year. The Good Templars realized they needed a permanent place of their own to hold the celebration. After searching for the right location, they found a large piece of land near the Fox River in Geneva, IL. The land was purchased in 1924.

Once the land was bought, members worked together to turn it into a park. Hundreds of volunteers came on weekends to help build it. They made picnic tables, stages, food stands, and buildings. Many of the workers were Swedish, along with some Norwegian members. Most of the work was done for free because people wanted to help.

The park was officially opened on Memorial Day, May 31, 1925. There was a parade, music, speeches, and many community leaders attended. A few weeks later, the first Swedish Midsummer event (Svenkarnas Day) was celebrated at the park. Thousands of people came to enjoy traditional food, music, dancing around the maypole, and spending time with friends and family.

Even now, Good Templar Park remains a peaceful place where people can remember the traditions, teamwork, and community spirit that helped create it.