To start of my research, I’ve selected a primary source from the archive department of McIntyre Library in UWEC. To know more about Putnam Park, first we must have some knowledge on the background of Putnam Park. This source I selected is about Putnam Park Deed. I selected this source because it explains how Putnam Park track was first conveyed to the City of Eau Claire by Henry C. Putnam. In this deed, there are many information recited as how Putnam Park was officially launched. This information from my first primary resource will definitely lead in answering my research question.
This source was dated on February 17th 1909 and was received for record on the February 2nd 1932. From these dates we can see that Putnam Park is indeed a place with history. This primary source I selected has information to do with how it was found, what made it be a park, what kind of geological and geographical condition the park had, etc. These are all really interesting facts to know because there are a lot of details in establishing a park.
This source I selected states that Henry C. Putnam conveyed the Putnam Park tract to the City of Eau Claire in February 17th 1909. This deed is a lengthy document which was drafted by the grantor. Putnam Drive has been existing and been used since the 1887. Putnam drive is near the Chippewa River and the grantor had suggested a bridge across the Chippewa River near the mouth of the Little Niagara Creek and offered a donation towards its cost. This deed also recites that the lands which Putnam Drive crosses are left with little value, and hence the City is required to pay taxes. There were certain land near Putnam Drive was excluded from these taxes. Since Eau Claire was known for its timber, there were restrictions on cutting timber around Putnam Drive before the Park was build. Another condition or restriction is that the “forest” should be maintain well in all aspects. This deed reserves to grantor a building site of one and one-half acres. There are gift conditions to the City which states that the City shall police the lands, drives, forest, streams, animals, birds, and aquatic animals and make sure that there is growth and propagation in the park. Putnam Park boundaries was finally settled with an authorized survey by the City of Eau Claire and State Bureau of Engineering in 1957.
Image of Specific Provisions listed: 
I find this source really helpful in better understanding Putnam Park because it shows the ups and downs the grantor and the City of Eau Claire faced in deciding on whom and what are the rules and regulation is to be fixed to maintain and establish Putnam Park. Reading information from this resource made me doubt or feel like the grantor was asking a bit too much in return for the City to have Putnam Park. I’m sure there will be some explanation to all this reciting and I hope to find out more in my research on this topic about Putnam Park.
I learnt more about Putnam Park in this source because it has information which answered my sub question which was how Putnam Park was even discovered. I did not know that that there was a grantor who handled the deed and it is an interesting fact that there were so much going behind a simple park like Putnam Park. The element that I found missing in this source was information on what was the building site used. Was it used for Putnam Park purposes? Or was it used for personal use for the grantor.
From here, I would like to research about some of the lands that was not covered by Putnam Park which played a part in establishing Putnam Park.
Great source to learn about Putnam park! I have never thought about how it is built but I also learned it from your source. As you said that there was a restriction on cutting timber, then are the things are all nature in Putnam park? If so, is it still remain with untouched by human? The regulation for not cutting timber in Eau Claire still exist? I also wonder the purposes of park too!
Parks are an important part of every city, and you can sometimes judge the value of a city by how well they take care of their parks. Putnam Park is a beautiful park and this is a great topic to be researching into! The deed to the park is a huge source to get your hands on. That source alone should answer a lot of questions you may have. It also might lead you too new sources. You did a good job on describing the importance of this source and why it was important to you! You might want to be asking yourself questions such as: Why was Putnam Park so costly? Why did the city choose to fund the Putnam Park Project even though it was costly? Why was Putnam Park so important to the community? Looking forward to more posts!
Excellent use of a primary source with the Putnam Park deed along with visual imagery to provide further detail with surveying Putnam Park. It would be interesting to actually find out what the unused land was used for or was that land surveyed or established for housing purposes or other forms of business. It is very interesting to note that Putnam park was found in 1909 and am curious to know if the park itself has undergone any major changes to the landscape due to flood damage or possibly to reconstruction of the certain portions of the park.