Surrounded by the Darby Plains, the region was first settled by Jonathan Alder in 1796. As a child, Alder was captured by American Indians and released 15 years later. At that time, grassy prairie meadows were assumed to be unsuitable for farming. As farming techniques improved, the area became an important livestock center. In the 1940s, a dam was built across Deer Creek, which created a small lake that still attracts anglers and offers excellent paddling opportunities. Lovely in any season, the park’s 1-mile trail takes visitors along the lakeshore.